Video lottery terminals; authorize lottery board to allow with certain restrictions.
If enacted, HB 197 will modify existing state laws regarding gaming and lottery operations in Mississippi. Specifically, it amends several sections of the Mississippi Code to accommodate the introduction of video lottery terminals, delineating how these terminals can operate while maintaining a framework that governs traditional lottery games. The legislation seeks to formalize and regulate this form of gaming to ensure oversight by state authorities and provide a potential revenue stream for the state through regulated gaming activities.
House Bill 197 authorizes the Mississippi Lottery Corporation Board of Directors to permit the operation of video lottery terminals (VLTs) under specific conditions. The bill introduces regulations that allow the vending of games of chance using these terminals in truck stops. The terminals will be limited to accepting a minimum bet of one cent and a maximum payout of $750 per game. Furthermore, only five terminals may be established in each congressional district, which aims to control the spread of such gambling facilities across the state.
The proposal has sparked discussion among legislators and stakeholders about the implications of expanding gambling in the state. Proponents of HB 197 argue that it provides a controlled method for generating additional revenue for the state while creating jobs and enhancing local economies through regulated gambling in truck stops. Conversely, opponents express concerns about the potential for increased gambling addiction and the moral implications associated with expanding gaming operations, fearing that it may lead to social issues in communities.