Mississippi House leader Trey Lamar decided not to move forward with a bill to allow a casino in Jackson, the capital city. This would have been a significant change to a long-standing state law that limits casinos to areas along the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River. Despite this setback, Lamar offered encouragement to potential investors in a casino located just over 1 mile from the state Capitol building. The decision not to move forward with the bill was made after Republicans in the House determined that there were not enough votes to pass it.
There are currently 12 state-licensed casinos operating on the Gulf Coast and 14 along the Mississippi River. In addition, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians operates three casinos that are not regulated by the state government. Lamar’s bill specified that a Jackson casino would need to be owned by at least one person who already owns a licensed casino. The closest casinos to downtown Jackson are located about 48 miles to the west, along the Mississippi River in Vicksburg. Lawmakers from Vicksburg expressed concerns that a Jackson casino would negatively impact their city, where more than 1,100 people are employed in the existing casinos and connected hotels.
The first casinos in Mississippi opened in 1992, with the original law stating that they must be developed over water. After Hurricane Katrina caused damage to the casino barges along the coast in 2005, legislators amended the law to allow casinos to be developed on shore within a short distance of water. House Democratic leader Robert Johnson of Natchez raised concerns that a Jackson casino would harm casinos along the Mississippi River, including in his hometown. Despite opposition from both Democrats and Republicans, Lamar remains optimistic that a casino in Jackson could be a possibility in the future.
The decision not to move forward with the bill to allow a casino in Jackson was made after House Republicans met privately and determined that there were not enough votes to pass it. Some Democrats also expressed opposition to the proposal, citing potential negative impacts on existing casinos along the Mississippi River. Rep. Oscar Denton and Rep. Kevin Ford of Vicksburg stated that opening a casino in Jackson would be devastating to their city, where a significant number of people are employed in the current casinos and hotels. The discussion around allowing a casino in Jackson highlights the complex economic and political considerations involved in expanding the state’s gambling industry.
While the proposed bill to allow a casino in Jackson has been put on hold for the time being, Lamar and other supporters of the idea remain hopeful that it could still come to fruition in the future. The potential economic benefits of a Jackson casino, as well as the interest from investors, suggest that this issue is likely to remain a topic of discussion in the state legislature. The existing laws and regulations around casino development in Mississippi have evolved over time, and the debate around a potential casino in Jackson reflects the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the state’s gambling industry. Despite the current setbacks, the possibility of a Jackson casino is still alive, and proponents will continue to advocate for its development in the years to come.
