HB 1128 Summary

• Creates the Mississippi Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2014, establishing a regulatory framework for licensed gaming establishments to conduct lawful internet wagering through the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

• Requires gaming licensees to obtain an internet wagering permit and meet strict requirements including age/location verification, data security standards, and internal control procedures to protect players.

• 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; additional annual fees of $100,000 each to the General Fund and Commission Fund per licensee.

• Grants the Gaming Commission authority to conduct in rem actions against domain names used for unlawful internet gambling and establishes liability protections for Internet service providers acting in good faith to block unlawful gambling sites.

• Establishes criminal penalties for unlawful internet gambling ranging from up to 90 days in county jail and $10,000 fine for individuals engaging in prohibited gambling, to up to 10 years in state prison and $100,000 fine for those managing unlawful operations.