Mississippi is dwelling to one of many largest and richest on line casino markets in the US. When lawmakers collect subsequent month within the state Capitol in Jackson, a dialogue about additional increasing the gaming business is predicted.
When Mississippi lawmakers convene in January for his or her 2025 legislative session, a push to permit a on line casino within the capital metropolis of Jackson is predicted. Mississippi at present limits business casinos to rivers and the Gulf. (Picture: Shutterstock)
Mississippi is at present dwelling to 6 business land-based casinos and 20 riverboats. The Magnolia State is moreover dwelling to 3 tribal casinos.
The business gaming venues are confined to the Gulf Coast the place 12 riverboats and brick-and-mortar casinos in Biloxi, Bay St. Louis, and Gulfport received nearly $1.6 billion final yr. That ranked because the fifth-richest gaming market within the nation behind solely Las Vegas, Atlantic Metropolis, Chicagoland, and Baltimore-Washington, DC.
Mississippi’s different business casinos are positioned alongside the Mississippi River, with main gaming hubs being Vicksburg and Tunica. Jackson, centrally positioned in Hinds County, is a roughly 45-minute drive from the closest on line casino in Vicksburg.
A gaggle of native businesspeople in Jackson need to deliver Las Vegas nearer to Jackson.
Jackpots in Jackson?
Capital Metropolis Ahead Collectively consists of 5 individuals led by former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R). The group seeks to foyer state lawmakers and present Gov. Tate Reeves (R) into backing laws to permit a land-based on line casino in Jackson.
The Metropolis of Jackson has seen higher days. Its inhabitants continues to say no, with the US Census Bureau reporting that the inhabitants dropped by 6.5% from April 2020 and July 2023. Between the 2010 and 2020 census, Jackson’s inhabitants tumbled 11.5% from 173,514 to 153,701, a lack of nearly 20K residents.
Jackson’s 2023 median family earnings of $43,238 was considerably beneath the statewide common of $54,203. Mississippi has the bottom median family earnings within the nation. About 27% of the Jackson Metropolis inhabitants lives in poverty. Jackson’s murder charge of virtually 20 individuals per 100K is among the many highest charges of any metropolis within the nation.
Capital Metropolis Ahead Collectively believes a on line casino resort might ship Jackson the spark it so desperately wants. The group contends {that a} on line casino within the capital metropolis would give new cause for Mississippians and southerners in close by states to go to town named after Andrew Jackson.
We’re recommending inside a mile or so of the capitol so it brings the roles, brings the individuals,” William Richardson, one of many 5 members concerned with Capital Metropolis Ahead Collectively, advised WLBY3. “It restores the core of our metropolis.”
For a on line casino to be allowed in Jackson, the state’s gaming regulation would have to be amended. The present statute limits the Mississippi Gaming Fee to reviewing on line casino proposals just for initiatives on or close to the Mississippi River and Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Land-based casinos can solely be thought-about alongside the Gulf for developments positioned not more than 800 toes from the 19-year imply excessive water line.
Bidding Conflict
Capital Metropolis Ahead Collectively is encouraging state lawmakers to draft a invoice that will amend Mississippi’s on line casino regulation to permit a single brick-and-mortar on line casino in Jackson. The group has proposed solely qualifying the state’s present on line casino operators to bid for the chance.
The successful bidder would want to pay the state a one-time $10 million licensing price ought to the scheme pitched by Capital Metropolis Ahead Collectively transfer ahead. In addition they inform the state Legislature that no tax or different incentives are wanted to spur curiosity.
“You don’t want to provide a on line casino any tax cash,” added Richardson. “You don’t have to put money into it. They obtained the cash. We’ve this chance to do one thing that brings in financial growth with out asking the taxpayer for a greenback.”
