Mississippi Gaming Commission Regulations

Gambling in the United States has been known for a long time. In past years, people in the country used to enjoy different types of gambling activities. And throughout the years, gambling in the US has evolved, being banned or legalized in different states. As you may know, each US state has its specific legislation concerning gambling. In this article, we would like to tell you more details about the Mississippi Gaming Commission and its main role in regulating gambling activity in the state.

MS Gaming Commission – Main Role and Functions

Gambling in the United States of America is heavily regulated. Each state has the right to conduct its specific laws that regulate gambling activities. Mississippi is one of the many US states where different forms of gambling products are allowed. However, some are not legal. Like any other state in the US, Mississippi also has a special gambling regulatory institution. This is the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

Like in many other states, gambling in Mississippi is regulated. Mississippi is one of the states with longest gambling history in the US. Around the 1700s, the first racetrack appeared in the state. However, it was not until the 18th century when many other popular forms of gambling activities were introduced to people in the state. Then, the Mississippi River was used as a major transportation system, and the first riverboat casinos started to appear.

After Mississippi joined the Union in 1817, it was clear that soon specific gambling regulations would need to be applied. However, the first attempts of applying any regulations on gambling in Mississippi date back to the years after the Civil War. Still, the state was attempting to recover from the war and still, gambling could not be regulated properly.

In 1990, though, things changed. With House Bill 2, the dockside casinos were legalized by the Mississippi legislature. Then, the Mississippi Gaming Control Act was established by this bill. Later, the act established the Mississippi Gaming Commission. In the beginning, its main task was to control the dockside casinos.

As you now know, the gaming commission Mississippi is the primary regulatory institution that deals with gambling in the state. The first and most important task of this institution is to provide a safe and regulated gambling environment in the state. Through this, it also aims at turning Mississippi into one of the major gaming destinations in the US.

Mississippi Gaming Commission – The Structure

The MS Gaming Commission is run by three commissioners. The governor is the one who appoints those commissioners. Each of the commissioners is in charge for four years and each commissioner can serve as long as 10 years. Since its creation, the Mississippi state gaming commission is responsible for regulating all gambling activities that are officially legalized in the state. But, the commission is also on duty to prosecute any unlawful gambling activities and to charge penalties to those who violate the gambling laws.

The MS state gaming commission is formed by several divisions. Each division is responsible for specific operations concerning gambling in the state. Moreover, each division follows the MS Gaming Commission regulations as strictly as possible, thus preventing any fraudful activities from being executed. Check the sections below to find out what the main divisions of the commission are and what their major responsibilities include. Here is the list of some of the most important Mississippi Gaming Commission divisions.

Executive Division

This division is formed to oversee the daily operations of the Mississippi gambling commission. It also provides the administrative support of the commission. Besides, the Executive Division also deals with finances. It is in charge of developing the policies that guide the formation of gambling regulations in the state. Thus, better integrity of gambling in the state should be achieved.

Criminal Intelligence Division

This department of the Mississippi Gaming Commission is there to execute various duties. The tasks of the division include maintaining various databases, conducting spontaneous and unannounced inspections of casinos as well as investigating criminal activities related to gambling. This department also has the task of assisting the MS Gaming Commission agents in investigating any criminal violations regarding gambling in the state.

Enforcement Division of the Mississippi Gambling Commission

All casinos throughout the state need to operate properly according to the laws and the Mississippi Gaming Commission regulations. Here, the Enforcement Division of the commission takes the lead. Among the duties that it has is to oversee the operations of casinos in the state. The division needs to keep an eye on all gambling establishments and to be sure that they follow the state gambling regulations strictly. The licensed casinos in the state are monitored by the division agents regularly. The agents have the right to inspect every establishment where gambling activities are being conducted.

Investigations Division

The Mississippi Gaming Commission also has another department that executes several very important tasks. The Investigations Division is the one that has to check whether all gambling establishments, gaming manufacturers and distributors have the proper licensing. The division makes reports and provides them to the Mississippi state gaming commission directly. Moreover, this department also keeps an up-to-date database with all gaming applicants in the state and other materials that are important for the commission.

Compliance Division of the Mississippi Gaming Commission

This is yet another major department of the MGC that has an important role in the whole working process of the commission. First of all, the Compliance Division is in charge of checking the financial records and accounting documents of all licensed gambling establishments and other licensees in the state. Many vital components are included in the tasks executed by the Compliance Division. They may include exploring the accounting books, banking verifications, cash counts and others.

Commission for Gambling in Mississippi – Licenses

The MS Gaming Commission is in charge of regulating gambling in the state. Besides, the regulatory institution covers all areas which can fall under the scope of gambling. All gaming activities in the state, whether it would be land-based casinos, riverboat casinos, any forms of sports betting, are regulated by the commission. The Mississippi Gaming Commission regulations and laws are strict, precise and clear. This helps its divisions conduct their tasks properly and contribute to regulating the gambling market in the state as well as possible.

The Mississippi state gaming commission applies all gambling regulations following the Gaming Control Act of 1972. The commission also makes monthly reports based on what the different divisions have estimated about the gambling situation in the state. The gambling establishments in the state and all subjects involved in gambling need to be licensed by the gaming commission Mississippi.

Mississippi Gambling Laws – What Is Legal in the State?

The state of Mississippi has a long gambling history. Mississippi is also one of the states with many different types of gambling activities that are legalized. Land-based casinos are, of course, legal in Mississippi as long as they have the proper licensing. Among the gambling games that Mississippi players can enjoy are slots, roulette, blackjack, poker and bingo. The Mississippi state lottery is also one of the most favorite types of gambling in the state.

According to the Mississippi Gaming Commission regulations, charitable gambling is among the activities that are allowed. Sports betting is also allowed but there are specific restrictions. For instance, horse racing, as well as greyhound racing, are among the gambling activities that are illegal in Mississippi. Online casinos and online sports betting are still not fully legalized in the state. Meanwhile, you can check the states where online gambling is legal and learn more about the best online casinos in the US in our dedicated guides.

Mississippi Casinos – Status and Regulations

The Mississippi Gaming Commission regulations allow casinos to operate on the territory of the state. Casinos have been a major part of the gambling scene in the state for a long time. Mississippi has been known for its riverboat casinos since the 1700s. Land-based casinos are legal in Mississippi but need to be licensed by the MS Gaming Commission to be able to operate.

There are lots of gambling establishments on the territory of the state that are allowed to offer different types of casino games. Some of them are part of bigger casino resorts and complexes. The number of bigger casinos in the state is not small at all. There are nearly 40 gaming establishments in Mississippi. Check the table below to find out some of the best Mississippi casinos.

Online Gambling in Mississippi

Online gambling is a world-leading industry. However, as you may know, online gambling is still not widely accepted in the US. With the latest changes in the legislation, though, many states have already voted for the legalization of online gambling allowing online casinos to welcome customers. The best New Jersey casino sites, for instance, are a good example of how gambling in some states has evolved. Meanwhile, other states are in the process of legalizing online gambling. But still, there are states where it is still not allowed.

Mississippi is one of the US states where currently online gambling is considered illegal. There are not any new Mississippi gambling laws regarding online gaming activities. And still, the MGC does not allow any forms of online gambling activities to take place throughout the territory of the state. However, offshore gambling sites do not fall under the scope of the Mississippi gaming commission regulations. This means that the risk of being charged for accessing an offshore gambling site is minimal.

MS Gaming Commission FAQs

Each piece of information needs to be digested. Sometimes, you need to check the details once again to be sure that everything is clear for you. This is why we have prepared a brief FAQ section. Here, we have provided you with extra information regarding the MS Gaming Commission and its main role as a regulatory institution for the state.

Similar Articles

Gambling Laws in Kenya30 Aug 2022

Child Gambling Laws18 Aug 2022

Europe Gambling Laws6 Aug 2022