Senate Bill 2653 Summary

• Authorizes gaming to be conducted on vessels on the Pearl River within the corporate limits of municipalities with a population of 150,000 or more according to the most recent federal decennial census.

• Amends Section 67-1-71 to add an exception allowing gambling and gambling devices on Pearl River vessels within qualifying municipalities, consistent with existing exceptions for Mississippi River vessels and coastal cruise vessels.

• Modifies Sections 87-1-5, 97-33-1, 97-33-7, 97-33-17, 97-33-25, and 97-33-27 to exclude Pearl River gaming from illegal gambling prohibitions and penalties when conducted on qualifying vessels.

• Applies the same licensing and regulatory framework to Pearl River gaming vessels as existing Mississippi River gaming vessels, including requirements that gaming licenses be obtained and municipal voters have not voted to prohibit such gaming.

• Takes effect July 1, 2022.