Measure to allow off-track betting fails

Friday, Feb. 4, 2005 | 9:33 a.m.

JACKSON, Miss. -- A bill that would have given the Mississippi Gaming Commission permission to set rules for off-track betting failed Thursday in the House.

House Gaming Committee Chairman Bobby Moak, D-Bogue Chitto, said Mississippi laws enacted in the 1990s to make way for casinos already allow off-track betting or race book, but he said the commission needs legislative approval to adopt the regulations.

Moak said the bill aimed to clear up contradictory language in the current law.

Moak said the regulations are no different than what the commission sets for blackjack, craps and slot machines.

The vote was 55-52, but a three-fifths majority of 65 was needed for passage. The bill was held for more debate later.

Rep. Deryk Parker, D-Lucedale, said race book would be another temptation to people who already suffer from gambling addictions. Parker said gambling has led to an increase in divorce, bankruptcy filings and crime.

"The people of Mississippi have enough to be addicted to. We don't need to put another item on the buffet table," Parker said.

Moak tried to sway his colleagues by assuring them they weren't expanding the gambling industry in the state. He said off-track betting is attractive to smaller casinos who hope to draw patrons from their larger competitors.

"You're not voting for horse racing. You're not voting for the lottery. We killed those bills in the Gaming Committee this year," he said.

In 1999, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled race books were illegal under Mississippi law. The Imperial Palace casino in Biloxi had asked the court to reconsider the ruling in 2000, but the justices declined.

Imperial Palace sued the Gaming Commission for permission to operate a race book after regulators rejected a request in July 1997.

Harrison County Chancery Judge J.N. Randall ruled in the casino's favor on Aug. 11, 1997. However, Randall said sections of the state Gaming Control Act were contradictory on the issue.

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The bill is House Bill 1448. _centerline(PROFILE _centerline(COUNTRY:United States; ISOCOUNTRY3:USA; UNTOP:021; APGROUP:NorthAmerica;) _centerline(CAT:Political;) _centerline(CAT:Financial;) _centerline(CAT:Municipal;) _centerline(CAT:Legislative;) _centerline(CAT:Gambling;) _centerline(CAT:Legal;) _centerline(SRC:AP; ST:MS;) _centerline)