JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The chairman of the House Gaming Committee says he will hold an initial fact-finding committee hearing sometime within the next three or four weeks to look at proposals for a state lottery in Mississippi.
Rep. Richard Bennett, a Republican from Long Beach, tells The Clarion-Ledger that many people have asked about a lottery and some legislators put in bills for it every year.
Forty-three states have lotteries, including all but one - Alabama - that border on Mississippi.
Supporters say a lottery would help shore the state budget - and could be earmarked for education - and keep Mississippians from spending lottery dollars in neighboring states.
Bennett says he has the Mississippi Gaming Commission and a casinos' association gathering information for lawmakers.
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