“I’m pretty sure the people of Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia appreciate all of our contributions to their roads, bridges, education system and many other things they spend that money on,” said Democratic legislator Chris England, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A mix of reasons have kept them away, including objections from conservatives, concerns about the impact on low-income families or a desire not to compete with existing gaming operations. “I think it’s ridiculous that we have to drive to get a lottery ticket,” Williams, 67, said.įive states - Utah, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska and Alabama - do not have a lottery. But in some of the five states without a lottery, envious bystanders are crossing state lines or sending ticket money across them to friends and family, hoping to get in on the action. history has people around the country clamoring for a chance to win. She was one of many Alabama ticket-buyers flooding across state lines Thursday.
