'Not A Lot Of Hope' For iGaming Bill In Mississippi

Despite a bill on the table, the chances are slim for Mississippi to legalize web poker in 2013

Rep. Bobby Moak, the legislation’s author, told Card Player Friday that there’s “not a lot of hope” for it this year. Though, the proposal “keeps the conversation alive,” he said.

Mississippi, home to a strong commercial brick-and-mortar casino industry, will one day have legalized online betting, Moak predicted. It’s just far out on the horizon.

“I wish she would get there sooner rather than later,” Moak added.

Despite his 2012 effort failing after just a few weeks on the table, Moak resurrected the proposal last week. He said it’s basically the same legislation he introduced last year.

Moak, like many others, prefers a federal measure that would OK the activity, but he thinks that there isn’t much of a political “will” for Congress to act on the issue.

Many predict online gaming’s future is solely up to the states.

Moak wants Mississippi to keep pace with other jurisdictions that have made moves toward online gaming systems. Nevada and Delaware have already legalized, while New Jersey could as well, as long as its governor signs the proposal currently on his desk.

According to Moak, gambling on the Internet is already happening within his state, but that the desire is to regulate it in order to capture tax revenue and create jobs.

Check out the full text of Mississippi Assembly Bill No. 254.

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