The proposal to allow a casino in the state capital of Jackson, Mississippi has been shot down by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Trey Lamar. The bill, filed on Monday, would have been a significant departure from the current law that restricts casinos to areas along the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River. Despite Lamar’s decision not to proceed with the bill due to lack of support from House Republicans, he offered encouragement to potential investors in a casino just over a mile away from the state Capitol.
However, not everyone was in favor of the idea of a casino in Jackson. House Democratic leader, Rep. Robert Johnson, expressed concerns that a new gambling site in Jackson would negatively impact existing casinos along the Mississippi River, including those in his hometown of Natchez. Johnson believes that while the Gulf Coast casinos may survive the competition, others would struggle to stay afloat. With Republicans holding the majority in the House, and some Democrats also expressing opposition to the bill, the future of a Jackson casino looks uncertain.
Since the first casinos opened in Mississippi in 1992, the state has seen an increase in the number of state-licensed casinos operating on the Gulf Coast and along the Mississippi River. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians also operates three casinos that are not regulated by the state. Lamar’s bill proposed that a Jackson casino would need to be owned by at least one person who already owns a licensed casino, further complicating the process for potential investors.
Lawmakers from Vicksburg, a city about 48 miles west of Jackson, were particularly vocal in their opposition to the proposed casino in Jackson. Representatives Oscar Denton and Kevin Ford expressed concerns that a new casino in Jackson would have a negative impact on their city, where over 1,100 people are employed in the four existing casinos and connected hotels. This opposition from lawmakers representing areas with established casinos further complicates the prospects of a new casino in Jackson.
Mississippi has a history of strict regulations when it comes to casinos, initially requiring them to be developed solely over water. However, after Hurricane Katrina caused damage to the casino barges along the coast in 2005, legislators amended the law to allow casinos to develop a short distance on shore. This history of regulation and the concerns raised by lawmakers from existing casino areas may make the prospect of a casino in Jackson even more challenging in the future.
Overall, the proposal to allow a casino in Jackson, Mississippi has faced significant opposition and has been effectively halted for this year. With key lawmakers expressing concerns about the potential impact on existing casinos and the lack of support from House Republicans, the future of a Jackson casino remains uncertain. However, Chairman Lamar’s encouragement to potential investors suggests that the idea is not completely off the table, leaving room for further discussion and potential reconsideration in the future.
