The Mississippi Lottery Corporation, along with International Game Technology PLC (IGT), has announced that IGT will contribute $10,000 annually in scholarship funds to benefit students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the Magnolia State.
Five individual HBCU schools (Rust College in Holly Springs, Alcorn State University in Alcorn, Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, and Tougaloo College and Jackson State University, both located in Jackson) will receive $2,000 per year for the duration of IGT’s contract to fund scholarships for deserving students.
Mississippi Lottery President Tom Shaheen said: “Since the first day of sales on November 25, 2019, The Mississippi Lottery Corporation has exceeded all sales expectations and revenue return to the State of Mississippi.
“This could not have happened without the knowledge, expertise and experience of IGT. We are very proud to have a partner also willing to give back to Mississippi in the form of contributions to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”
IGT is the lottery’s technology partner, supplying it with its draw-based central system, lottery terminals, instant tickets, warehousing and distribution of instant tickets, marketing support, field services, call center operations, retailer training, and primary and back up data centers.
Since 1992, the vendor has been present in the Magnolia State through its gaming operations, helping open the state’s first casino. Last year, IGT opened a local office and a warehouse in the Greater Jackson area near the lottery’s headquarters to ensure collaboration, maximize efficiency, and address opportunities.
Jay Gendron, IGT Chief Operating Officer of Lottery, added: “When IGT began its partnership with the Mississippi Lottery, we made a commitment to not only introduce growth-driving solutions for the lottery, but to also give back to the local communities and residents of Mississippi.
“IGT is extremely proud to collaborate with the Lottery and Mississippi’s HBCUs to provide opportunities for students with diverse backgrounds to further their studies and move on to lead promising careers.”
The Mississippi Lottery also announced this week that it completed its October transfer of $7,069,979.17 in net proceeds to the Lottery Proceeds Fund in the state’s treasury, bringing the total transfer for the Fiscal Year 2021 to $33,655,036.73.