House Bill 1373 Summary

• Creates the "Mississippi Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2012" to establish a regulatory framework for licensed gaming establishments to offer Internet wagering within the state.

• Requires gaming licensees to obtain Internet wagering permits from the Mississippi Gaming Commission and comply with age verification (21+), location verification, and security standards for Internet gaming operations.

• Imposes a 5% license fee on Internet wagering gross revenues monthly, with 75% deposited to the Mississippi Gaming Commission Fund and 25% to the State General Fund, plus additional annual fees of $100,000 each to the General Fund and Gaming Commission Fund.

• Authorizes the Gaming Commission to take in rem actions against domain names used for unlawful Internet gambling and establishes liability protections for Internet service providers acting on commission notices.

• Establishes criminal penalties for unlawful Internet gambling, including fines up to $10,000 and 90 days jail for individuals placing prohibited wagers, and up to 10 years imprisonment and $100,000 fines for operating unlicensed Internet gambling operations.