Mississippi’s Legislative Battle Against Sweepstakes Casinos
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Amidst the ongoing uncertainty within the sweepstakes casinos industry in the United States, Mississippi has emerged as the latest state to take a stance against this sector.
The state appears resolute in its efforts to advance legislation that would effectively ban the industry and impose severe penalties on individuals who continue to offer such games to consumers within the Magnolia State.
Introduction of Legislation to Criminalize Sweepstakes Casinos
A newly proposed piece of legislation, Senate Bill 2510, has successfully navigated through the Senate, receiving a decisive vote of 44-1 in favor of taking stringent measures against the sweepstakes casinos industry, essentially rendering it illegal. While sweepstakes have traditionally been a commonplace element within the gaming landscape, not necessitating specific regulation under standard gambling laws, this dynamic may soon shift in Mississippi.
The subsequent course of action involves the House of Representatives either voting on or returning the bill to the Senate for further consideration. If both legislative bodies approve the measure, the responsibility of enforcement will ultimately lie with the governor’s office.
The progression of SB 2510 through the Senate has elicited a swift response from the SPGA, a newly established association dedicated to opposing antagonistic legislation and highlighting the legitimacy of the sweepstakes casinos model, which it asserts does not contravene any regulations. The organization has issued a statement addressing recent developments in the state.
Social sweepstakes are free-to-play games that never require a purchase for a player to win a game. They’re part of a long-established industry of social casino games enjoyed by tens of millions of adults across America.
We doubt voters in Mississippi appreciate their elected officials dictating what games adults can and can’t play on their phones. It’s a waste of time and a transparent and misguided attempt to pay out protectionist favors for the casino industry. Voters deserve better than lawmakers who prioritize the protection of a slot machine maker over individual freedom.
SPGA’s Response to the Proposal: Limited Prospects for Resistance
The SPGA has consistently articulated that the criminalization of sweepstakes casinos lacks a principled foundation, choosing instead to classify as a criminal act an activity that Mississippi residents have enjoyed as a form of fun, equitable, and complimentary entertainment.
Senate Bill 2510 seeks to categorize sweepstakes casinos as a criminal offense, imposing felony charges on operators and individuals, with penalties including:
- Fines of up to $100,000
- Prison sentences of up to ten years
The SPGA has criticized the proposed legislation as excessively severe and unwarranted.
However, considering that both the Senate and the House, as well as the governor’s office, are under Republican control, the passage of this new bill appears to be highly probable.