MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Gaming
By: Representative Evans (70th)
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A STATE LOTTERY TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE MISSISSIPPI GAMING COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI GAMING COMMISSION REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE STATE LOTTERY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE LOTTERY IS TO FUND THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI BURN CENTER AND TO FUND CERTAIN EDUCATION NEEDS OF THE STATE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ALLOCATION OF THE PROCEEDS COLLECTED FROM THE SALE OF LOTTERY TICKETS IN THE STATE, AFTER DEDUCTING CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE AND PRIZE EXPENSES; TO PROVIDE THAT FORTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE PROCEEDS COLLECTED FROM THE SALE OF LOTTERY TICKETS IN THE STATE SHALL BE ALLOCATED AS PRIZE MONEY; TO PROVIDE THAT TWENTY PERCENT OF THE PROCEEDS COLLECTED FROM THE SALE OF LOTTERY TICKETS IN THE STATE, OR SUCH LOWER AMOUNT AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI BURN CENTER, SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE MISSISSIPPI BURN CENTER SPECIAL FUND FOR; TO PROVIDE THAT TWENTY PERCENT OF THE PROCEEDS SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP SPECIAL FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF AWARDING TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS TO MISSISSIPPI STUDENTS TO ATTEND ANY STATE COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE REMAINDER OF THE PROCEEDS SHALL BE ALLOCATED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EDUCATION NEEDS OF THE STATE, INCLUDING EXPENDITURES FOR K-12 AND HIGHER EDUCATION, UPON APPROPRIATION BY THE LEGISLATURE; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-106-5, 37-115-45, 67-1-71, 75-76-3, 75-76-5, 97-33-9, 97-33-11, 97-33-13, 97-33-21, 97-33-23, 97-33-31, 97-33-33, 97-33-35, 97-33-37, 97-33-39, 97-33-41, 97-33-43, 97-33-45, 97-33-47 AND 97-33-49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) "Commission" means the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
(b) "Distributor" means any person authorized by the Mississippi Gaming Commission to distribute lottery tickets to retailers. A person possessing a gaming license issued under Section 75-76-1 et seq., may be a distributor if located in a county in which legal gaming has been approved.
(c) "Lottery" means any activity approved by the Mississippi Gaming Commission in which:
(i) The player or players pay or agree to pay something of value for chances, represented and differentiated by tickets, slips of paper or other physical and tangible documentation upon which appear numbers, symbols, characters or other distinctive marks used to identify and designate the winner or winners;
(ii) The winning chance or chances are to be determined by a drawing or similar selection method based predominately upon the element of chance or random selection rather than upon the skill or judgment of the player or players;
(iii) The holder or holders of the winning chance or chances are to receive a prize or something of valuable consideration; and
(iv) The activity is conducted and participated in without regard to geographical location, with the player or players not being required to be present upon any particular premises or at any particular location in order to participate or to win.
(d) "Person" means any association, corporation, firm, partnership, trust or other form or business association as well as a natural person.
(e) "Retailer" means any person authorized by the Mississippi Gaming Commission to sell lottery tickets to the public. A person possessing a gaming license issued under Section 75-76-1 et seq., may be a retailer if located in a county in which legal gaming has been approved.
(2) There is created a state lottery, to be administered by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The commission is authorized to:
(a) Prescribe the method and form of application which an applicant for a distributor's license or retailer's license, or both, must follow and complete before consideration of his application by the commission;
(b) Prescribe guidelines for the review of applications for licenses and the approval or disapproval of such applications;
(c) Require an applicant to pay all or any part of the fees and costs of investigation of such applicant as may be determined by the commission, except that no applicant for an initial license shall be required to pay any part of the fees or costs of the investigation of the applicant with regard to the initial license;
(d) Prescribe the manner and method of collection and payment of fees and issuance of licenses;
(e) Prescribe conditions under which a licensee may be subject to or revocation or suspension of his license;
(f) Prescribe guidelines regarding the conduct of specific lottery games including, but not limited to:
(i) The types of games to be conducted;
(ii) The sale price of tickets;
(iii) The number and amount of prizes;
(iv) The method and location of selecting or validating winning tickets;
(v) The frequency and means of conducting drawings which shall be open to the public;
(vi) The manner of payment of prizes;
(vii) The frequency of games and drawings; and
(viii) Any other matters necessary or desirable for the efficient and effective operation of lottery games;
(g) Enter into contracts with distributors for the distribution of lottery ticket to retailers; and
(h) Take any action necessary for the implementation and administration of the provisions of this section and promulgate rules and regulations necessary for its implementation and administration.
(3) No ticket shall be sold knowingly to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years, but this subsection (3) does not prohibit the purchase of a ticket by a person eighteen (18) years of age or older for the purpose of making a gift to any person of any age. In such case, the commission shall direct payment to an adult member of the person's family or the legal guardian of the person on behalf of such person.
(4) The proceeds received from the actual sale of lottery tickets, less a reasonable percentage in an amount as determined by the commission up to a maximum amount of one-half (1/2) of one percent (1%) to be retained by a retailer selling a ticket, shall be remitted to the commission on a monthly basis. The commission shall deposit the proceeds into the State Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, the commission shall certify the total proceeds collected from the sale of lottery tickets to the State Treasurer who shall distribute such collections as follows:
(a) As nearly as practicable, forty-five percent (45%) of the proceeds collected during the preceding month from the sale of lottery tickets in the state shall be allocated as prize money, to be distributed by the commission, provided that this provision shall not create any lien, entitlement, cause of action, or other private right, and any rights of holders of lottery tickets shall be determined by the commission in administering the lottery;
(b) A reasonable percentage, in an amount as determined by the commission up to a maximum amount of one-half (1/2) of one percent (1%), of the proceeds collected during the preceding month from the sale of lottery tickets in the state, shall be allocated for distribution to the commission and paid to the commission to defray the costs of administering the provisions of this section;
(c) Twenty percent (20%) of the proceeds collected during the preceding month from the sale of lottery tickets, or such lower amount as may be necessary in each fiscal year, shall be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Center Special Fund, for the purpose of constructing and operating the Mississippi Burn Center established in Section 37-115-45(3);
(d) Twenty percent (20%) of the proceeds collected during the preceding month from the sale of lottery tickets shall be deposited into the Mississippi Community and Junior College Scholarship Special Fund created in subsection (5) of this section;
(e) The remainder of the proceeds collected during the preceding month from the sale of lottery tickets in the state shall be allocated for the benefit of the education needs of the state, including expenditures for K-12 and higher education, upon appropriation by the Legislature.
(5) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Mississippi Community and Junior College Scholarship Special Fund," into which shall be deposited the funds as provided in subsection (4)(d) of this section. All investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund.
The special fund shall remain inviolate and shall not be expended, except as provided in this section. Beginning in fiscal year 2011 and in each subsequent fiscal year, the Legislature may appropriate from the special fund an amount not greater than the aggregate investment earnings and interest earned during the preceding fiscal year on amounts in the fund. This appropriation shall be for the exclusive purpose of providing funds for the purposes described in subsection (6) of this section, but shall not be considered to be the only source for providing funds for those purposes.
(6) The special fund shall be administered by the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board established under Section 37-106-9. For purposes of this section, "eligible institution" means any state public community or junior college. The board shall set the date that will serve as the deadline for applying for a scholarship award under subsections (6) through (9) of this section. Scholarship awards shall be made to applicants on the basis of the order in which the applications are received by the board, and the granting of awards in any fiscal year shall be limited to those awards for which funds are available for that fiscal year. The board shall award scholarships to each Mississippi student who enrolls as a student for the first time at an eligible institution in Mississippi, and who:
(a) (i) Has earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 calculated on a 4.0 scale in high school subjects acceptable for credit toward a diploma, as certified by the high school principal or other authorized school official on the application;
(ii) Has completed a home study program meeting state law requirements in lieu of graduating from high school, and has earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 in an eligible institution as described in paragraph (b) of this subsection (6) at the end of the student's first quarter, trimester or semester, at which time the student shall be eligible to receive a retroactive scholarship award; or
(iii) Has received the general educational development (GED) diploma awarded by the Mississippi Department of Education, and has earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 in an eligible institution as described in paragraph (b) of this subsection (6) at the end of the student's first quarter, trimester or semester, at which time the student shall be eligible to receive a retroactive scholarship award;
(b) Is enrolled, on a full-time basis, at an eligible institution;
(c) Is a resident of the State of Mississippi and a United States citizen;
(d) Has complied with the United States Selective Service System requirements for registration, if such requirements are applicable to the student;
(e) Is not in default on a federal or state educational loan, or does not owe a refund on a federal student financial aid program or a state student financial aid program;
(f) Has not been convicted of a felony offense involving marijuana or a controlled substance; and
(g) Is not incarcerated.
(7) The annual scholarship award to a student shall be the total cost of the student's tuition for the calendar year, excluding nontuition fees and costs of books and other supplies. Payment of the award shall be made payable to the recipient and the educational institution and mailed directly to the institution.
(8) A recipient shall maintain the equivalent of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale, on at least twelve (12) hours per quarter, trimester or semester in order to be eligible for a continuation of the award. No student may receive an award for more than the equivalent quarters, trimesters or semesters required to complete one (1) degree per institution. The award may be renewed annually upon certification of eligibility by an eligible institution that the recipient meets the necessary qualifications. If any recipient transfers from one (1) eligible institution to another, his award will be transferred provided he is eligible for the award. If a student fails to maintain continuous enrollment, he is ineligible to receive the award during the following quarter, trimester or semester of the regular academic year.
(9) The board may conduct annual audits of any institution participating in the program described in subsections (6) through (9) of this section. The board may suspend or revoke an institution's eligibility to receive future monies under the program if it finds that the institution has not complied with the provisions of subsections (6) through (9) of this section.
SECTION 2. Section 37-115-45, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-115-45. (1) The University of Mississippi Medical Center shall establish a separate unit at the medical center for the treatment of burn victims, which shall be known as the Mississippi Burn Center. The opening and operation of the Mississippi Burn Center shall be conditioned upon the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning making a written determination, spread upon their minutes, that adequate funds are available from public and/or private sources for the annual operating cost of the facility.
(2) The Legislature may appropriate funds for the construction of the Mississippi Burn Center, and may appropriate sufficient funds annually to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for the operation of the Mississippi Burn Center.
(3) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Mississippi Burn Center Special Fund," into which shall be deposited the funds as provided in Section 1(4)(c) of this act. All investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund.
The Mississippi Burn Center Special Fund shall remain inviolate and shall not be expended, except as provided in this section. Beginning in fiscal year 2011 and in each subsequent fiscal year, the Legislature may appropriate from the special fund an amount not greater than the deposits made under Section 1(4)(c) of this act, the aggregate investment earnings and the interest earned during the preceding fiscal year on amounts in the fund. This appropriation shall be for the exclusive purpose of providing funds for the construction and operating expenses of the Mississippi Burn Center, but shall not be considered to be the only source for providing funds for that purpose.
SECTION 3. Section 37-106-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-106-5. For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall be defined as follows unless the context requires otherwise:
(a) "Eligible applicant or eligible student" means an individual who is a bona fide resident of Mississippi or an out-of-state student who is enrolled or accepted for attendance at an approved institution located in Mississippi in a course of study including at least six (6) semester hours or the full-time equivalent thereof.
(b) "Approved institution" means an institution of higher learning, public or private, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, or its equivalent or a business, vocational, technical or other specialized school recognized and approved by the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board.
(c) "Board" means the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board created by Section 37-106-9 authorized and empowered to administer the provisions of this chapter.
(d) "Fund" means the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Fund created by Section 37-106-31 or the Mississippi Community and Junior College Scholarship Special Fund created in Section 1 of this act, as the case may be.
(e) "Financial need" means anticipated expenses of an eligible student while attending an approved institution which cannot reasonably be met by said student or by the parents thereof as shall be determined according to the criteria established by the rules and regulations of the board. Financial need shall be reevaluated and redetermined at least annually.
(f) "Agency" means the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
SECTION 4. Section 67-1-71, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until July 1, 2010, this section will read:]
67-1-71. The commission may revoke or suspend any permit issued by it for a violation by the permittee of any of the provisions of this chapter or of the regulations promulgated under it by the commission.
Permits must be revoked or suspended for the following causes:
(a) Conviction of the permittee for the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter;
(b) Willful failure or refusal by any permittee to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto;
(c) The making of any materially false statement in any application for a permit;
(d) Conviction of one or more of the clerks, agents or employees of the permittee, of any violation of this chapter upon the premises covered by such permit within a period of time as designated by the rules or regulations of the commission;
(e) The possession on the premises of any retail permittee of any alcoholic beverages upon which the tax has not been paid;
(f) The willful failure of any permittee to keep the records or make the reports required by this chapter, or to allow an inspection of such records by any duly authorized person;
(g) The suspension or revocation of a permit issued to the permittee by the federal government, or conviction of violating any federal law relating to alcoholic beverages;
(h) The failure to furnish any bond required by Section 27-71-21 within fifteen (15) days after notice from the commission; and
(i) The conducting of any form of illegal gambling on the premises of any permittee or on any premises connected therewith or the presence on any such premises of any gambling device with the knowledge of the permittee.
The provisions of paragraph (i) of this section shall not apply to gambling or the presence of any gambling devices, with knowledge of the permittee, on board a cruise vessel in the waters within the State of Mississippi, which lie adjacent to the State of Mississippi south of the three (3) most southern counties in the State of Mississippi, or on any vessel as defined in Section 27-109-1 whenever such vessel is on the Mississippi River or navigable waters within any county bordering on the Mississippi River. The commission may, in its discretion, issue on-premises retailer's permits to a common carrier of the nature described in this paragraph.
No permit shall be revoked except after a hearing by the commission with reasonable notice to the permittee and an opportunity for him to appear and defend.
In addition to the causes specified in this section and other provisions of this chapter, the commission shall be authorized to suspend the permit of any permit holder for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a permit for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or Section 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or Section 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or Section 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
[From and after July 1, 2010, this section will read:]
67-1-71. The department may revoke or suspend any permit issued by it for a violation by the permittee of any of the provisions of this chapter or of the regulations promulgated under it by the department.
Permits must be revoked or suspended for the following causes:
(a) Conviction of the permittee for the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter;
(b) Willful failure or refusal by any permittee to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto;
(c) The making of any materially false statement in any application for a permit;
(d) Conviction of one or more of the clerks, agents or employees of the permittee, of any violation of this chapter upon the premises covered by such permit within a period of time as designated by the rules or regulations of the department;
(e) The possession on the premises of any retail permittee of any alcoholic beverages upon which the tax has not been paid;
(f) The willful failure of any permittee to keep the records or make the reports required by this chapter, or to allow an inspection of such records by any duly authorized person;
(g) The suspension or revocation of a permit issued to the permittee by the federal government, or conviction of violating any federal law relating to alcoholic beverages;
(h) The failure to furnish any bond required by Section 27-71-21 within fifteen (15) days after notice from the department; and
(i) The conducting of any form of illegal gambling on the premises of any permittee or on any premises connected therewith or the presence on any such premises of any illegal gambling device with the knowledge of the permittee.
The provisions of paragraph (i) of this section shall not apply to: the conducting of legal gaming by a person having a gaming license issued under Section 75-76-1 et seq., or the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act. The department * * *, in its discretion, may issue on-premises retailer's permits to a common carrier of the nature described in this paragraph.
No permit shall be suspended or revoked until after the permittee has been provided reasonable notice of the charges against him for which suspension or revocation is sought and the opportunity to a hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals to contest such charges and the suspension or revocation proposed. Opportunity to a hearing is provided without an actual hearing if the permittee, after receiving reasonable notice, including notice of his right to a hearing, fails to timely request a hearing. The permittee may also at any time waive his rights to reasonable notice and/or to the opportunity to a hearing by agreeing to a suspension or revocation offered by the department. Notwithstanding the requirement above that a permit may not be suspended without notice and opportunity to a hearing, sales of alcoholic beverages by a permittee under a permit for which the bond shall be suspended under Section 27-71-21 has been cancelled from and after issuance of this notice provided in subsection (h) above and shall continue to be suspended until the bond is reinstated, a new bond is posted or sufficient cash or securities as provided under Section 27-71-21 are deposited with the State Treasurer for this permit.
In addition to the causes specified in this section and other provisions of this chapter, the department shall be authorized to suspend the permit of any permit holder for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a permit for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
SECTION 5. Section 75-76-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
75-76-3. (1) The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to legalize any form of gaming which is prohibited under the Mississippi Constitution or the laws of this state. All legal gaming which is conducted in this state and which is otherwise authorized by law shall be regulated and licensed under the provisions of this chapter, unless the Legislature specifically provides otherwise. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as encouraging the legalization of gambling in this state.
(2) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that lotteries and gaming both consist of the material element of chance. The Legislature is * * * permitted by virtue of its inherent powers to legislate upon lotteries and gaming as the occasion arises. The Legislature derives its power to legislate upon lotteries and gaming or gambling devices from its inherent authority over the morals and policy of the people * * *.
(3) The Legislature hereby finds, and declares it to be the public policy of this state, that:
(a) Regulation of lotteries and licensed gaming is important in order that those activities be conducted honestly and competitively, that the rights of the creditors of licensees are protected and that those activities are free from criminal and corruptive elements.
(b) Public confidence and trust can only be maintained by strict regulation of all persons, locations, practices, associations and activities related to the operation of lotteries and licensed gaming establishments and the manufacture or distribution of gambling devices and equipment.
(c) All establishments where lotteries or gaming, or both, are conducted and * * * manufacturers, sellers and distributors of certain lottery and gaming devices and equipment must therefore be licensed, controlled and assisted to protect the public health, safety, morals, good order and general welfare of the inhabitants of the state.
(4) It is the intent of the Legislature that gaming licensees and any entity authorized to conduct a lottery, to the extent practicable, shall employ residents of Mississippi as * * * employees * * * in the operation of their * * * establishments located in this state.
(5) No applicant for a license or other affirmative commission approval has any right to a license or the granting of the approval sought. Any license issued or other commission approval granted under the provisions of this chapter is a revocable privilege, and no holder acquires any vested right therein or thereunder.
* * *
SECTION 6. Section 75-76-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Through June 30, 2010, this section shall read as follows:]
75-76-5. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a) "Applicant" means any person who has applied for or is about to apply for a state gaming license, registration or finding of suitability under the provisions of this chapter or approval of any act or transaction for which approval is required or permitted under the provisions of this chapter.
(b) "Application" means a request for the issuance of a state gaming license, registration or finding of suitability under the provisions of this chapter or for approval of any act or transaction for which approval is required or permitted under the provisions of this chapter but does not include any supplemental forms or information that may be required with the application.
(c) "Associated equipment" means any equipment or mechanical, electromechanical or electronic contrivance, component or machine used remotely or directly in connection with gaming or with any game, race book or sports pool that would not otherwise be classified as a gaming device, including dice, playing cards, links which connect to progressive slot machines, equipment which affects the proper reporting of gross revenue, computerized systems of betting at a race book or sports pool, computerized systems for monitoring slot machines, and devices for weighing or counting money.
(d) "Chairman" * * * means the Chairman of the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
(e) "Commission" or "Mississippi Gaming Commission" * * * means the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
(f) "Commission member" * * * means a member of the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
(g) "Credit instrument" means a writing which evidences a gaming debt owed to a person who holds a license at the time the debt is created, and includes any writing taken in consolidation, redemption or payment of a prior credit instrument.
(h) "Enforcement division" means a particular division supervised by the executive director that provides enforcement functions.
(i) "Establishment" means any premises wherein or whereon any gaming is done.
(j) "Executive director" * * * means the Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
(k) Except as otherwise provided by law, "game," or "gambling game" means any banking or percentage game played with cards, with dice or with any mechanical, electromechanical or electronic device or machine for money, property, checks, credit or any representative of value, including, without limiting, the generality of the foregoing, faro, monte, roulette, keno, fan-tan, twenty-one, blackjack, seven-and-a-half, big injun, klondike, craps, poker, chuck-a-luck (dai shu), wheel of fortune, chemin de fer, baccarat, pai gow, beat the banker, panguingui, slot machine, or any other game or device approved by the commission. However, "game" or "gambling game" shall not include bingo games or raffles which are held under the provisions of Section 97-33-51, or the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
The commission shall not be required to recognize any game hereunder with respect to which the commission determines it does not have sufficient experience or expertise.
(l) "Gaming" or "gambling" means to deal, operate, carry on, conduct, maintain or expose for play any game as defined in this chapter.
(m) "Gaming device" means any mechanical, electromechanical or electronic contrivance, component or machine used in connection with gaming or any game which affects the result of a wager by determining win or loss. The term includes a system for processing information which can alter the normal criteria of random selection, which affects the operation of any game, or which determines the outcome of a game. The term does not include a system or device which affects a game solely by stopping its operation so that the outcome remains undetermined, and does not include any antique coin machine as defined in Section 27-27-12.
(n) "Gaming employee" means any person connected directly with the operation of a gaming establishment licensed to conduct any game, including:
(i) Boxmen;
(ii) Cashiers;
(iii) Change personnel;
(iv) Counting room personnel;
(v) Dealers;
(vi) Floormen;
(vii) Hosts or other persons empowered to extend credit or complimentary services;
(viii) Keno runners;
(ix) Keno writers;
(x) Machine mechanics;
(xi) Security personnel;
(xii) Shift or pit bosses;
(xiii) Shills;
(xiv) Supervisors or managers; and
(xv) Ticket writers.
The term "gaming employee" also includes employees of manufacturers or distributors of gaming equipment within this state whose duties are directly involved with the manufacture, repair or distribution of gaming equipment.
"Gaming employee" does not include bartenders, cocktail waitresses or other persons engaged in preparing or serving food or beverages unless acting in some other capacity.
(o) "Gaming license" means any license issued by the state which authorizes the person named therein to engage in gaming.
(p) "Gross revenue" means the total of all of the following, less the total of all cash paid out as losses to patrons and those amounts paid to purchase annuities to fund losses paid to patrons over several years by independent financial institutions:
(i) Cash received as winnings;
(ii) Cash received in payment for credit extended by a licensee to a patron for purposes of gaming; and
(iii) Compensation received for conducting any game in which the licensee is not party to a wager.
For the purposes of this definition, cash or the value of noncash prizes awarded to patrons in a contest or tournament are not losses.
The term does not include:
(i) Counterfeit money or tokens;
(ii) Coins of other countries which are received in gaming devices;
(iii) Cash taken in fraudulent acts perpetrated against a licensee for which the licensee is not reimbursed; or
(iv) Cash received as entry fees for contests or tournaments in which the patrons compete for prizes.
(q) "Hearing examiner" means a member of the Mississippi Gaming Commission or other person authorized by the commission to conduct hearings.
(r) "Investigation division" means a particular division supervised by the executive director that provides investigative functions.
(s) "License" means a gaming license or a manufacturer's, seller's or distributor's license.
(t) "Licensee" means any person to whom a valid license has been issued.
(u) "License fees" means monies required by law to be paid to obtain or continue a gaming license or a manufacturer's, seller's or distributor's license.
(v) "Licensed gaming establishment" means any premises licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter wherein or whereon gaming is done.
(w) "Manufacturer's," "seller's" or "distributor's" license means a license issued pursuant to Section 75-76-79.
(x) "Navigable waters" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term under Section 27-109-1.
(y) "Operation" means the conduct of gaming.
(z) "Party" means the Mississippi Gaming Commission and any licensee or other person appearing of record in any proceeding before the commission; or the Mississippi Gaming Commission and any licensee or other person appearing of record in any proceeding for judicial review of any action, decision or order of the commission.
(aa) "Person" includes any association, corporation, firm, partnership, trust or other form of business association as well as a natural person.
(bb) "Premises" means land, together with all buildings, improvements and personal property located thereon, and includes all parts of any vessel or cruise vessel.
(cc) "Race book" means the business of accepting wagers upon the outcome of any event held at a track which uses the pari-mutuel system of wagering.
(dd) "Regulation" means a rule, standard, directive or statement of general applicability which effectuates law or policy or which describes the procedure or requirements for practicing before the commission. The term includes a proposed regulation and the amendment or repeal of a prior regulation but does not include:
(i) A statement concerning only the internal management of the commission and not affecting the rights or procedures available to any licensee or other person;
(ii) A declaratory ruling;
(iii) An interagency memorandum;
(iv) The commission's decision in a contested case or relating to an application for a license; or
(v) Any notice concerning the fees to be charged which are necessary for the administration of this chapter.
(ee) "Respondent" means any licensee or other person against whom a complaint has been filed with the commission.
(ff) "Slot machine" means any mechanical, electrical or other device, contrivance or machine which, upon insertion of a coin, token or similar object, or upon payment of any consideration, is available to play or operate, the play or operation of which, whether by reason of the skill of the operator or application of the element of chance, or both, may deliver or entitle the person playing or operating the machine to receive cash, premiums, merchandise, tokens or anything of value, whether the payoff is made automatically from the machine or in any other manner. The term does not include any antique coin machine as defined in Section 27-27-12.
(gg) "Sports pool" means the business of accepting wagers on sporting events, except for athletic events, by any system or method of wagering other than the system known as the "pari-mutuel method of wagering."
(hh) "Temporary work permit" means a work permit which is valid only for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from its date of issue and which is not renewable.
(ii) "Vessel" or "cruise vessel" shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms under Section 27-109-1.
(jj) "Work permit" means any card, certificate or permit issued by the commission, whether denominated as a work permit, registration card or otherwise, authorizing the employment of the holder as a gaming employee. A document issued by any governmental authority for any employment other than gaming is not a valid work permit for the purposes of this chapter.
(kk) "School or training institution" means any school or training institution which is licensed by the commission to teach or train gaming employees pursuant to Section 75-76-34.
(ll) "Cheat" means to alter the selection of criteria that determine:
(i) The rules of a game; or
(ii) The amount or frequency of payment in a game.
(mm) "Promotional activity" means an activity or event conducted or held for the purpose of promoting or marketing the individual licensed gaming establishment that is engaging in the promotional activity. The term includes, but is not limited to, a game of any kind other than as defined in paragraph (k) of this section, a tournament, a contest, a drawing, or a promotion of any kind.
[From and after July 1, 2010, this section shall read as follows:]
75-76-5. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a) "Applicant" means any person who has applied for or is about to apply for a state gaming license, registration or finding of suitability under the provisions of this chapter or approval of any act or transaction for which approval is required or permitted under the provisions of this chapter.
(b) "Application" means a request for the issuance of a state gaming license, registration or finding of suitability under the provisions of this chapter or for approval of any act or transaction for which approval is required or permitted under the provisions of this chapter but does not include any supplemental forms or information that may be required with the application.
(c) "Associated equipment" means any equipment or mechanical, electromechanical or electronic contrivance, component or machine used remotely or directly in connection with gaming or with any game, race book or sports pool that would not otherwise be classified as a gaming device, including dice, playing cards, links which connect to progressive slot machines, equipment which affects the proper reporting of gross revenue, computerized systems of betting at a race book or sports pool, computerized systems for monitoring slot machines, and devices for weighing or counting money.
(d) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Mississippi Gaming Commission except when used in the term "Chairman of the State Tax Commission." "Chairman of the State Tax Commission" or "commissioner" means the Commissioner of Revenue of the Department of Revenue.
(e) "Commission" or "Mississippi Gaming Commission" means the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
(f) "Commission member" means a member of the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
(g) "Credit instrument" means a writing which evidences a gaming debt owed to a person who holds a license at the time the debt is created, and includes any writing taken in consolidation, redemption or payment of a prior credit instrument.
(h) "Enforcement division" means a particular division supervised by the executive director that provides enforcement functions.
(i) "Establishment" means any premises wherein or whereon any gaming is done.
(j) "Executive director" means the Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
(k) Except as otherwise provided by law, "game," or "gambling game" means any banking or percentage game played with cards, with dice or with any mechanical, electromechanical or electronic device or machine for money, property, checks, credit or any representative of value, including, without limiting, the generality of the foregoing, faro, monte, roulette, keno, fan-tan, twenty-one, blackjack, seven-and-a-half, big injun, klondike, craps, poker, chuck-a-luck (dai shu), wheel of fortune, chemin de fer, baccarat, pai gow, beat the banker, panguingui, slot machine, or any other game or device approved by the commission. However, "game" or "gambling game" shall not include bingo games or raffles which are held under the provisions of Section 97-33-51, or the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 this act.
The commission shall not be required to recognize any game hereunder with respect to which the commission determines it does not have sufficient experience or expertise.
(l) "Gaming" or "gambling" means to deal, operate, carry on, conduct, maintain or expose for play any game as defined in this chapter.
(m) "Gaming device" means any mechanical, electromechanical or electronic contrivance, component or machine used in connection with gaming or any game which affects the result of a wager by determining win or loss. The term includes a system for processing information which can alter the normal criteria of random selection, which affects the operation of any game, or which determines the outcome of a game. The term does not include a system or device which affects a game solely by stopping its operation so that the outcome remains undetermined, and does not include any antique coin machine as defined in Section 27-27-12.
(n) "Gaming employee" means any person connected directly with the operation of a gaming establishment licensed to conduct any game, including:
(i) Boxmen;
(ii) Cashiers;
(iii) Change personnel;
(iv) Counting room personnel;
(v) Dealers;
(vi) Floormen;
(vii) Hosts or other persons empowered to extend credit or complimentary services;
(viii) Keno runners;
(ix) Keno writers;
(x) Machine mechanics;
(xi) Security personnel;
(xii) Shift or pit bosses;
(xiii) Shills;
(xiv) Supervisors or managers; and
(xv) Ticket writers.
The term "gaming employee" also includes employees of manufacturers or distributors of gaming equipment within this state whose duties are directly involved with the manufacture, repair or distribution of gaming equipment.
"Gaming employee" does not include bartenders, cocktail waitresses or other persons engaged in preparing or serving food or beverages unless acting in some other capacity.
(o) "Gaming license" means any license issued by the state which authorizes the person named therein to engage in gaming.
(p) "Gross revenue" means the total of all of the following, less the total of all cash paid out as losses to patrons and those amounts paid to purchase annuities to fund losses paid to patrons over several years by independent financial institutions:
(i) Cash received as winnings;
(ii) Cash received in payment for credit extended by a licensee to a patron for purposes of gaming; and
(iii) Compensation received for conducting any game in which the licensee is not party to a wager.
For the purposes of this definition, cash or the value of noncash prizes awarded to patrons in a contest or tournament are not losses.
The term does not include:
(i) Counterfeit money or tokens;
(ii) Coins of other countries which are received in gaming devices;
(iii) Cash taken in fraudulent acts perpetrated against a licensee for which the licensee is not reimbursed; or
(iv) Cash received as entry fees for contests or tournaments in which the patrons compete for prizes.
(q) "Hearing examiner" means a member of the Mississippi Gaming Commission or other person authorized by the commission to conduct hearings.
(r) "Investigation division" means a particular division supervised by the executive director that provides investigative functions.
(s) "License" means a gaming license or a manufacturer's, seller's or distributor's license.
(t) "Licensee" means any person to whom a valid license has been issued.
(u) "License fees" means monies required by law to be paid to obtain or continue a gaming license or a manufacturer's, seller's or distributor's license.
(v) "Licensed gaming establishment" means any premises licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter wherein or whereon gaming is done.
(w) "Manufacturer's," "seller's" or "distributor's" license means a license issued pursuant to Section 75-76-79.
(x) "Navigable waters" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term under Section 27-109-1.
(y) "Operation" means the conduct of gaming.
(z) "Party" means the Mississippi Gaming Commission and any licensee or other person appearing of record in any proceeding before the commission; or the Mississippi Gaming Commission and any licensee or other person appearing of record in any proceeding for judicial review of any action, decision or order of the commission.
(aa) "Person" includes any association, corporation, firm, partnership, trust or other form of business association as well as a natural person.
(bb) "Premises" means land, together with all buildings, improvements and personal property located thereon, and includes all parts of any vessel or cruise vessel.
(cc) "Race book" means the business of accepting wagers upon the outcome of any event held at a track which uses the pari-mutuel system of wagering.
(dd) "Regulation" means a rule, standard, directive or statement of general applicability which effectuates law or policy or which describes the procedure or requirements for practicing before the commission. The term includes a proposed regulation and the amendment or repeal of a prior regulation but does not include:
(i) A statement concerning only the internal management of the commission and not affecting the rights or procedures available to any licensee or other person;
(ii) A declaratory ruling;
(iii) An interagency memorandum;
(iv) The commission's decision in a contested case or relating to an application for a license; or
(v) Any notice concerning the fees to be charged which are necessary for the administration of this chapter.
(ee) "Respondent" means any licensee or other person against whom a complaint has been filed with the commission.
(ff) "Slot machine" means any mechanical, electrical or other device, contrivance or machine which, upon insertion of a coin, token or similar object, or upon payment of any consideration, is available to play or operate, the play or operation of which, whether by reason of the skill of the operator or application of the element of chance, or both, may deliver or entitle the person playing or operating the machine to receive cash, premiums, merchandise, tokens or anything of value, whether the payoff is made automatically from the machine or in any other manner. The term does not include any antique coin machine as defined in Section 27-27-12.
(gg) "Sports pool" means the business of accepting wagers on sporting events, except for athletic events, by any system or method of wagering other than the system known as the "pari-mutuel method of wagering."
(hh) "State Tax Commission" or "department" means the Department of Revenue of the State of Mississippi.
(ii) "Temporary work permit" means a work permit which is valid only for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from its date of issue and which is not renewable.
(jj) "Vessel" or "cruise vessel" shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms under Section 27-109-1.
(kk) "Work permit" means any card, certificate or permit issued by the commission, whether denominated as a work permit, registration card or otherwise, authorizing the employment of the holder as a gaming employee. A document issued by any governmental authority for any employment other than gaming is not a valid work permit for the purposes of this chapter.
(ll) "School or training institution" means any school or training institution which is licensed by the commission to teach or train gaming employees pursuant to Section 75-76-34.
(mm) "Cheat" means to alter the selection of criteria that determine:
(i) The rules of a game; or
(ii) The amount or frequency of payment in a game.
(nn) "Promotional activity" means an activity or event conducted or held for the purpose of promoting or marketing the individual licensed gaming establishment that is engaging in the promotional activity. The term includes, but is not limited to, a game of any kind other than as defined in paragraph (k) of this section, a tournament, a contest, a drawing, or a promotion of any kind.
SECTION 7. Section 97-33-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-9. If any person shall be guilty of keeping or exhibiting any illegal game or gaming table commonly called A.B.C. or E.O. roulette or rowley-powley, or rouge et noir, roredo, keno, monte, or any faro-bank, or other game, gaming table, or bank of the same or like kind or any other kind or description under any other name whatever, or shall be in any manner either directly or indirectly interested or concerned in any gaming tables, banks, or games, either by furnishing money or articles for the purpose of carrying on the same, being interested in the loss or gain of said table, bank or games, or employed in any manner in conducting, carrying on, or exhibiting said gaming tables, games, or banks, every person so offending and being thereof convicted, shall be fined not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), or be imprisoned in the county jail not longer than two (2) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. Nothing in this section shall apply to any person who owns, possesses, controls, installs, procures, repairs or transports any legal gaming or gambling device, machine or equipment in accordance with subsection (4) of Section 97-33-7 or Section 75-76-34, or to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 8. Section 97-33-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-11. It shall not be lawful for any association of persons of the character commonly known as a "club," whether such association be incorporated or not, in any manner, either directly or indirectly, to have any interest or concern in any illegal gambling tables, banks, or games, by means of what is sometimes called a "rake-off" or "take-out," or by means of an assessment upon certain combinations, or hands at cards, or by means of a percentage extracted from players, or an assessment made upon, or a contribution from them, or by any other means, device or contrivance whatsoever. It shall not be lawful for such an association to lend or advance money or any other valuable thing to any person engaged or about to engage in playing any game of chance prohibited by law, or to become responsible directly or indirectly for any money or other valuable thing lost, or which may be lost, by any player in any such game. If any such association shall violate any of the provisions of this section each and every member thereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00); and unless such fine and costs be immediately paid, shall be imprisoned in the county jail for not less than five (5) nor more than twenty (20) days. Each grand jury shall cause such of the members of such an association as it may choose to appear before them and submit to examination touching the observance or nonobservance by such association of the provisions hereof.
This section shall not apply to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 9. Section 97-33-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-13. Any owner, lessee, or occupant of any outhouse or other building, who shall knowingly permit or suffer any of the before mentioned tables, banks, or games, or any other game prohibited by law, to be carried on, kept, or exhibited in his said house or other building, or on his lot or premises, being thereof convicted, shall be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00).
This section shall not apply to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 10. Section 97-33-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-21. Any person of full age who shall bet any money or thing of any value with a minor, or allow a minor to bet at any game or gaming-table exhibited by him, or in which he is interested or in any manner concerned, on conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) and imprisoned not less than three (3) months.
This section shall not apply to a minor who receives as a gift a ticket associated with the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act, when the ticket has been purchased by a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older.
SECTION 11. Section 97-33-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-23. Any person of full age who shall bet any money or thing of value with a minor, knowing such minor to be under the age of twenty-one (21) years, or allowing any such minor to bet at any game or games, or at any gaming-table exhibited by him, or in which he is interested or in any manner concerned, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment in the Penitentiary not exceeding two (2) years.
This section shall not apply to a minor who receives as a gift a ticket associated with the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 this act, when the ticket has been purchased by a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older.
SECTION 12. Section 97-33-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-31. If any person, in order to raise money for himself or another, or for any purpose whatever, shall publicly or privately put up a lottery to be drawn or adventured for, he shall, on conviction, be imprisoned in the Penitentiary not exceeding five (5) years.
This section shall not apply to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 13. Section 97-33-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-33. If any person shall in any way advertise any lottery whatever, no matter where located, or shall knowingly have in his possession any posters or other lottery advertisements of any kind save a regularly issued newspaper containing such an advertisement without intent to circulate the same as an advertisement he shall, on conviction, be fined not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), or be imprisoned in the county jail not exceeding three (3) months, or both.
This section shall not apply to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 14. Section 97-33-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-35. If any newspaper published or circulated in this state shall contain an advertisement of any lottery whatever, or any matter intended to advertise a lottery, no matter where located, the editor or editors, publisher or publishers, and the owner or owners thereof permitting the same, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction, shall be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), and be imprisoned in the county jail not less than ten (10) days nor more than three (3) months, for each offense. The issuance of each separate daily or weekly edition of the newspaper that shall contain such an advertisement shall be considered a separate offense.
This section shall not apply to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 15. Section 97-33-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-37. If any newsdealer or other person shall, directly or indirectly, sell or offer for sale any newspaper or other publication containing a lottery advertisement, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be fined not less than Ten Dollars ($10.00) or imprisoned not less than ten (10) days or both.
This section shall not apply to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 16. Section 97-33-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-39. If any person shall sell, or offer or expose for sale, any lottery ticket, whether the lottery be in or out of this state, or for or in any other state, territory, district, or country, he shall, on conviction, be fined not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), or imprisoned in the county jail not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days, or both.
This section shall not apply to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 17. Section 97-33-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-41. If any person shall buy in this state any lottery ticket, whether the lottery be in or out of this state, or of or in any other state, territory, district, or country, he shall, on conviction, be fined not less than Five Dollars ($5.00) nor more than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), or be imprisoned in the county jail not exceeding ten (10) days, or both.
This section shall not apply to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 18. Section 97-33-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-43. If any railroad company shall suffer or permit the sale of a lottery ticket of any kind on its cars, or at its depots or depot grounds, or by its employees, no matter where the lottery is located, it shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction shall be fined not less than Twenty Dollars ($20.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for every such ticket so sold.
This section shall not apply to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 19. Section 97-33-45, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-45. If the owner or owners of any steamboat shall suffer or permit the sale of a lottery ticket of any kind on his or their boat, or by his or their employees, no matter where the lottery is located, he or they shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, on conviction, be punished as prescribed in Section 97-33-43.
This section shall not apply to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 20. Section 97-33-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-47. If any person shall act as agent for any lottery or lottery company, no matter where domiciled or located, or if he shall assume to so act as agent, or if he receive any money or other thing for any such lottery or lottery company, or deliver to any person any ticket or tickets, prize or prizes, or other thing from such lottery or lottery company, he shall, on conviction, be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), and be imprisoned in the county jail not less than three (3) months nor more than six (6) months.
This section shall not apply to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 21. Section 97-33-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-33-49. Except as otherwise provided in Section 97-33-51, if any person, in order to raise money for himself or another, shall publicly or privately put up or in any way offer any prize
or thing to be raffled or played for, he shall, on conviction, be fined not more than Twenty Dollars ($20.00), or be imprisoned not more than one (1) month in the county jail.
This section shall not apply to the operation of the lottery that may be authorized by Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 22. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.