Mississippi To Consider Web Poker Again In 2014Legalization Doesn't Look Likely, However |
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The state of Mississippi considered legalizing online gambling earlier this year, but those efforts failed after less than a month on the table. In 2014, the state will again take up the issue.
According to the Sun Herald, State Rep. Richard Bennett, who is the House Gaming Committee chair, said hearings on web gambling are planned during the 2014 legislative session. However, he admitted that he does’t see much chance at legalization.
State Rep. Bobby Moak will once again spearhead the efforts by drafting legislation. He also tried to push a bill in 2012, but it didn’t go anywhere.
“For a small state we have done pretty well in the gaming industry,” Moak told Card Player in 2012. “We have been viewed as somewhat of a leader because we are close to the Nevada [gaming] statutes and to some degree New Jersey. Small states like Mississippi that are really heavy in the industry need to get out in front on issues like this.”
The state will likely be watching closely how online gambling industries perform in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey, which all debuted in 2013, before possibly legalizing.
Mississippi has 30 commercial casinos, according to the most recent information provided by the American Gaming Association, the commercial casino industry’s top lobbying group on Capitol Hill. Casinos were legalized in the state in 1990, with the first one opening about two years later. The best year ever for casinos in Mississippi was 2007.
Caesars Entertainment, Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts have casino interests in Mississippi.
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