On Thursday, June 21, the Mississippi Gaming Commission (“MGC”) took a major step toward the goal of licensed sports and race books in state casinos by adopting governing regulations. A copy of the final regulations can be accessed here.

Differences between the draft regulations and the final regulations, as adopted, indicate that betting using smartphone apps while on casino properties will be permitted, as will establishing wagering accounts off-site subject to account holder identity verification at the casino property.

The next steps include:

1. Licensing of manufacturers and distributors to provide sports betting services, systems, and equipment;
2. Amendment of casino internal controls; and,
3. Gaming lab approval of systems and equipment.

Several companies have already filed licensing applications, and the MGC staff is busy conducting due diligence investigations of the applicants and their principals.