Look Out, Mississippi! You Could Lose That Alabama Lottery Money!

Who goes to neighboring states to play the lottery? Do the prize amounts have to be at a certain level to be worth the travel, or does the idea of winning even $25,000 fall into the "well, it was more than I had" category?

Perhaps those who live close to the state line see no big deal about the possibility of having a lottery in Alabama, but you can rest assured that the states surrounding us have their eyes on our legislature.

The Associated Press reports that a state lottery is among the topics to be introduced in this year's legislative session. Unfortunately, those who normally play are a bit pessimistic about it because it has been introduced into our legislature and shot down numerous times.

However, a slight game changer has entered the scene: Mississippi as established a lottery!

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Why is this such a big deal?

Well, in various areas of advancement, Mississippi often comes in last place. It ranks as the poorest state in the nation. It has the highest rates of obesity, according to U.S. News and World Report. It's even said to be last in the nation in terms of education. Source.

What does that have to do with Alabama?

Well, Alabama is one of only a handful of states which don't have a lottery; and the lotteries of many states go to fund education. So, in essence, when those who want to try their luck at a grand prize have to travel to do so, they are supporting the education of children in those states.

Of course, this isn't a bad thing. However, it does grab the attention of those who are looking for ways to satisfy budget shortfalls in the education fund. They see money from Alabama going to all of the states which surround us; and they want to do something about it.

It goes without saying that there will be a bit of controversy as some say that playing the lottery is an unwise use of finances. They fear that those who can't really afford to play will go deeper into financial crisis and may create a bigger burden on the state and its social services.

Yet, the truth remains that those who play are still going to play in neighboring states. Should that money be kept in Alabama, or is it better to keep the games out of reach for those who can't afford to play or don't have the discipline to play a few dollars per week?