The Supreme Court of the United States ruled against the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. This law effectively banned all sports betting in America, except Nevada. Mississippi was among five states that joined New Jersey’s efforts to have the case heard at the Supreme Court. The state spent months ensuring that sports betting could start in Mississippi within the next few days. In December, Allen Godfrey (executive director of the commission), stated that Mississippi Gaming Commission would be ready to tackle sports gambling if the Supreme Court makes a favorable decision. According to Allen Godfrey, the executive director of the commission, “The time it takes for the operators to prepare to offer it as an regulated game would determine how long it takes.” Many believe that sports betting could be a boon for the state’s economy, especially in a state where revenue collections, and in particular casino gaming revenues, have been slowing in recent months. The state’s gaming revenue was $255 million last fiscal year — a decrease of $344 million from 2008. Although it is not clear how much Mississippi could make annually from sports betting revenue, many state officials believe it could be a “game changer” for the state. In 2017, former state senator Sean Tindell (R-Gulfport) stated that if the Supreme Court rules in favor of sports betting, it would be a serious mistake for other states to profit. “If we are behind the 8-ball it will be to Mississippi’s detriment and possibly failure of the casino sector in Mississippi. This could save Mississippi’s casino.” Scott DeLano (R-Biloxi), said that it could be a gamechanger that could provide an enormous injection of new capital similar to what was seen in the early 1990s when Mississippi dockside casinos were legalized. Mississippi lawmakers have already modified state law to allow for the immediate implementation of this game. Some claim that they did not realize this was the intent of the changes to the state’s gambling laws. The 2017 session saw the Legislature pass House Bill 967. This legalized sports fantasy betting in Mississippi, but also included language that would allow sports betting in Mississippi casinos, if the federal ban was lifted. The bill’s sponsors never mentioned the word “sports betting” while explaining it on the Senate and House floors. Mississippi Today discovered the loophole in the fantasy sports gaming law’s sports betting provisions. Legislative leaders and lawmakers denied knowing about it. Tindell, who was the main author of the Senate version identical to House Bill 967) said that he did not view it in the same light. Governor Tindell later appointed Tindell to the Mississippi Court of Appeals. Phil Bryant. Tindell stated that while we knew of a federal law prohibiting sports betting, it allowed fantasy sports gaming. “We didn’t worry about sports betting because we knew that federal law would override anything we could pass,” Tindell said. House Speaker Philip Gunn is a Baptist deacon who, according to his spokesperson signed the bill. Bryant signed the bill into law, stating that he opposed sports betting. Laura Hipp, spokesperson for the Lt. Governor. Lt. Gov. Laura Hipp, spokeswoman, stated that Tate Reeves’ original intention was to create a legal framework for Mississippi fantasy sports. Different lawyers may have different opinions about whether or not the changes, intentional or not have any impact on other types and types of gaming in the State. Hipp said that they are monitoring the actions taken by appropriate regulatory agencies and the Attorney general to determine if further clarification is needed._x000D