Governor names two members to Mississippi Gaming Commission

Jack Elliott Jr

Friday, March 21, 2003 | 9:57 a.m.

JACKSON, Miss. -- Laurel businesswoman Robin Robinson and retired educator Howard Sanders of Hollandale have been appointed to the Mississippi Gaming Commission by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove.

Robinson, an executive with Sanderson Farms, will join the commission Oct. 1 when Jackson businessman Victor Smith completes his second term on the regulatory body.

Sanders joins the commission immediately, replacing A.J. Pitts of Mooreville who recently resigned.

The three-member commission oversees the 30 state-regulated casinos, which employ 34,000 people. The industry has gross revenue of almost $3 billion.

Robinson is the first woman and Sanders is the first black person appointed to the commission since its creation in 1993.

The appointments require Senate confirmation.

Musgrove said he appointed Robinson ahead of time so she could learn about the industry from Smith and others at the commission. The governor said Sanders would regrettably not have any such benefit.

Musgrove said he expected both would continue the strong and solid regulation of the industry that the had done in the past.

"I think that has been the hallmark of Mississippi. I think nationwide we have been viewed as a strong jurisdiction, with strong regulation and fair regulation," Musgrove said. "I believe that is what the industry deserves and I also believe that is what the people of Mississippi deserve."

Robinson said she will bring 25 years of business experience to the commission.

"I think the industry has had a positive business impact on the Gulf Coast, in Tunica and in Philadelphia," she said.

Sanders, who was superintendent of the Hollandale school system for 18 years, spent 40 years in education.

"I am neither for or against gambling," Sanders said.

He said the gambling's impact on the state's economy, on jobs, on tourism and on tax revenues cannot be ignored. Sanders said those things are important to the Delta.

"Coming from an area such as the Delta, it has created vast improvements especially in Tunica that would not have been possible," he said.