Mississippi to review sports betting law
Mississippi Legislature will evaluate the recently approved sports betting legislation during the next session.
US.- Mississippi Legislature could amend the sports betting legislation in order to comply with federal requirements. This year, state’s legislators approved the sports betting law, which would allow legal gaming industry related to real life sports competitions although it contradicts current federal law.
Under the recently approved state regulation, casinos along Mississippi River would be able to offer sports betting services. However, the law could not take effect until the federal government amends the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which only allows four states (Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Oregon) to legalise sports betting industry.
As New Jersey began a legal battle against the federal law, sports betting operators and state regulators are waiting for the US Supreme Court resolution to define the legal status of the industry. Mississippi officials believe that the resolution would not be published soon, so the Legislature decided to review its sports betting law.
“If the reports are true that our laws would legalize sports betting/bookmaking in Mississippi upon a reversal of federal law, I believe we in the Legislature have an obligation to seriously consider the public policy implications and risks,” said House Judiciary B Chair Andy Gipson, R-Braxton to Daily Journal. “I would certainly expect we would do that during the 2018 regular session.”
