Now that the Governor has signed the lottery bill, folks in Arkansas are getting lotto fever. Lottery players from Arkansas who buy tickets in Texas say they can't wait for the chance to play the lotto here at home. They won't have to drive far and they believe it's an investment in the future of students in the state.
Lottery tickets in Texas are selling as fast as they stock them up and many of the people buying them are from Arkansas. "I'm a pretty regular customer, I enjoy it," says Sam Ward from Texarkana, Texas.
As early as this fall, Sam Ward and other Arkansans who like to take a chance at the lotto can enjoy it in Arkansas. Wednesday Governor Beebe signed the lottery bill and many Arkansans are already seeing dollars signs.
"We are excited, I think it's great a wonderful step," says Quila Brandon from Pine Bluff.
Who wouldn't be excited about the chance of hitting the jack pot for millions of dollars? But that's not the only draw; the money raised from the lottery goes toward funding college scholarships.
"That dollar we spend will go back to a kid going to school so go us! We're glad whether we win or not," says Brandon.
"I have three kids of my own, two college age, so they will actually benefit from it," explained Ward.
Getting from Arkansas to Texas to buy a lottery ticket is a quick trip for some but now that Arkansas is getting the lottery, some people say they won't make the trip; they're keeping their money here at home.
"Don't tell the Texas side but I'm actually gonna start buying them on the Arkansas side, keep the in money my home state," says Ward.
He just hopes luck is on his side in Arkansas because he's come up empty in Texas. Wednesday's signing makes Arkansas the 43rd state with the legal games of chance.
