Gambling laws may soon be changing in the state of Mississippi following a unanimous vote by the state Gaming Commission that clears the way for the legalization of sports betting. Regulators moved quickly to tweak rules regarding Mississippi sports betting, and speculation exists that gambling on sports could start in July. Recently, the Supreme Court ruled in New Jersey’s favor allowing the state to legalize and regulate sports betting, and other states moved forward with their legalization plans shortly after the decisions. Few should be surprised the legislators approved sports betting, as a regulated industry can generate significant tax money…

Mississippi is about to get a taste of sports betting action, thanks to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, which hopes to roll out the product in the near future. The Clarion Ledger reported that the Choctaw Tribal Council approved betting at the Silver Star Hotel and Casino, Golden Moon Hotel and Casino, and Bok Homa Casino on May 31. The Choctaws may go down in U.S. history as the first Native American Tribe to offer sports betting should things go as planned, according to the tribe’s officials. Unlike in other states, the Choctaws don’t need the approval of the…

The Mississippi Legislature, struggling for ways to fund state government in the midst of sluggish revenue collections, should have at least a little help on the way. On Wednesday, the 52-member Senate approved with six no votes and sent to Gov. Phil Bryant legislation regulating and taxing fantasy sports. If Bryant signs the legislation into law, it will mean a new source of revenue for the state. House Gaming Chair Richard Bennett, R-Long Beach, said he does not expect fantasy sports to generate a lot of revenue for the state, but, “I think it will grow.” Fantasy sports is generally…

Washington Times – Competition is strong among the 12 casinos in South Mississippi and also among the 31 charitable groups that operate bingo games in American Legion posts and church halls across the Gulf Coast. Bingo players spent $93 million throughout Mississippi in fiscal year 2013, and $14.7 million of that went to support projects of the organizations that run the games. Sonny Weathersby, director of the Charitable Gaming Division of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, said people call all the time asking how they can open a bingo hall. “You can’t do that,” he said. Bingo operators in Mississippi have…

Poker News – As one Mississippi casino closes due to lack of revenue, the state finally is going to study the prospects of online gaming. But is it a set up? The study may end up being a fair and unbiased take on the affect iGaming could have on Mississippi. However, it isn’t being conducted in the usual manner — and that’s concerning. State Rep. Richard Bennett, the Republican chairman of the Mississippi House Gaming Committee who requested the study, has made it clear that he is against passing online gaming legislation. Rather than name legislators to the task force…

Sun Herald – House Gaming Committee Chairman Richard Bennett, R-Long Beach, has commissioned a task force of experts to look at the pros and cons of Internet gambling and sports betting in Mississippi. The group’s first meeting will be in May during the Southern Gaming Summit in Biloxi. It will present its findings by the end of the year. Bennett said this in no way endorses either form of gambling. “I’m looking for an unbiased study,” he said. It will be more comprehensive than anything he’s seen on the subjects, he said, and he envisions other states using the information…