They say that lightning doesn’t strike twice but it seems like it has struck three times for visitors of the Scarlet Pearl Casino in D’Iberville. As it turns out, three separate guests won jackpot prizes in a single day.

According to Angela Black, the property’s director of gaming operations, the casino couldn’t stop providing prizes all day long. The first of them was a win of almost $50,000 hit by a player from Texas. The Austin man, Black noted, won $49,141.30 playing Mighty Cash in the casino’s high limits area, the Orchid Room.

The director of operations also said that the player in question had only wagered $1.80 when he hit the jackpot, making this win a “great return” of investment.

As mentioned, the Texan was not the only lucky casino visitor that day. Soon after, a woman from Gulfport, Mississippi, won a stellar $86,038.09 jackpot playing on a Lock it Link machine. According to the casino, the woman was also playing in the property’s famous Orchid Room.

Finally, a man from Iuka, Mississippi, won a mouth-watering $99,800 playing The Triple Blazing 7s Double game. What’s truly special about this latest win, however, is not the size but the fact that there were no taxes.

The final jackpot prize for the day was won from a $100 wager. The man had spun a total of three times before earning a whopping 100 free spins. According to Black, everyone at the casino was excited for the player and had gathered to watch him fire up the reels.

More US Players Win Big

Winning a jackpot can be life-changing. As the USA’s gambling and lottery industries grow, more and more players win amazing prizes. In Kentucky, for example, a father and son duo just won a $1 million prize after buying a scratch-off ticket.

A player from Seattle, on the other hand, decided to ditch his usual Powerball ticket in favor of a $30 Chrome Scratch ticket, only to turn it into a $2 million payday.

Unfortunately, sometimes there can be hurdles along the way. A Blackjack jackpot winner from Michigan, for example, was denied her winnings because of claims that she was “trespassing.” As it turned out, a misunderstanding from 2015 had led to her ban but the casino had never notified her. In the end, the woman decided to sue the gambling property over the withheld prize.

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Mississippi gambling enthusiasts are out of luck as Republican representatives decided not to put forward a bill that would have allowed a casino in Jackson. According to them, the bill lacked sufficient support but that doesn’t mean things won’t change in the future.

Committee Chair Trey Lamar, who filed the bill Monday, explained that representatives of the Republican Party privately discussed the matter and concluded that the bill would not be able to gain enough votes. However, Lamar added that those who hope to see a casino in Jackson shouldn’t give up just yet.

For reference, Mississippi currently allows commercial casinos to only be constructed on the Gulf Coast or along the Mississippi River. Currently, there are 12 casinos on the Gulf Coast and 14 along the Mississippi River. In addition to commercial properties, there are also three tribal casinos operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians across the state.

Lamar’s bill would have changed that, creating opportunities for investment in gaming right in the heart of the state. Under his bill, an existing licensed operator would have been allowed to construct and operate a casino in the Mississippi capital, only 1 mile away from the Capitol building.

A New Casino Would Disrupt the Power Balance

For reference, Mississippi’s House is currently dominated by the Republicans. However, the Democratic Party has a lot of members who are opposed to the opening of a casino in Jackson, citing economic concerns.

Rep. Robert Johnson, leader of the House Democrats, believes that a casino in Jackson would disrupt the power balance, hurting Mississippi River casinos. This sentiment was echoed by Democratic Rep. Oscar Denton and Republican Rep. Kevin Ford, who said that their city of Vicksburg would likely get the worst of it.

Vicksburg, for reference, houses the nearest casino to Jackson.

Johnson explained that coastal casinos will likely adapt but “there is no way anybody else could survive” the opening of a casino in the Mississippi capital.

Speaking of coastal casinos, Mississippi’s Senate recently approved the Tidelands Bill, which came as a response to the controversial approval of RW Development’s casino in Biloxi. The measure, however, raised concerns among coastal leaders and the future of local casinos.

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Mississippi’s Tidelands bill has raised concerns about the future of coastal casinos. The bill received unanimous approval from the Senate and has 30 days before a final vote is held.

Senate Bill 2780 passed the Senate on Thursday after receiving two amendments. The first amendment allows cities to control properties on ports and harbors as long as there is not a “gaming component” to them. This means that the state cannot restrict the public use of a coastal property, as long as it is for public purpose.

However, the amendment maintains the points that provide the Secretary of State with control over coastline casinos. Under the new bill, developers must secure a lease from the state, instead of from the local government. Additionally, new casinos cannot be located on or adjacent to sand beaches but still have to be located within 800 feet of the shore. Finally, the casino developer must control all property.

Overall, the bill has the potential to hinder the creation of new casinos, some believe. Critics furthermore claimed that coastal leaders were not consulted about the Tidelands bill, depriving them of their input.

The bill highlighted a discrepancy between the state government and the local governments.

Mississippi’s Government Doesn’t Want to Repeat the Recent Biloxi Hassle

David Blount, chair of the Senate Gaming Committee, ushered in the first amendment to Senate Bill 2780. He explained that the government is not interested in micromanaging local harbors and instead wants to create a “consistent environment” for the casino industry.

His comment echoed the recent approval of RW Development’s casino in Biloxi which was greenlit by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The project was initiated by a partnership between the developer and the city of Biloxi and Harrison County to rebuild Veterans Avenue Pier. The Secretary of State blocked the initiative – a decision that was later disputed in the Supreme Court. As a result, RW Development was later able to secure approval for adding a casino to the pier.

Mike Thompson, chairman of the Senate Ports & Marine Resources Committee, explained that the Tidelands bill seeks to make sure that nothing precludes government authorities from having exclusive control over their ports and harbors. He acknowledged that the bill has generated concerns among coastal leaders and added a reverse repealer amendment that ensures the bill will have more time for adjustments to be made.

In the meantime, the House version of this measure, HB 1659, passed the House by a landslide after 113 representatives voted in favor of the bill against 6 who opposed it.

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Coastal casino sites in Mississippi are once again in the sights of lawmakers, after a recent controversial project approval. RW Development, a company planning to build a casino on US 90 and Veterans Avenue in Biloxi, Mississippi, has been trying to secure approval from the gambling regulator in the state, the Mississippi Gaming Commission, for years.

After three unsuccessful attempts, RW Development secured site approval from the Commission in December. This was achieved after the company was allowed to build a pier at the end of Veterans Avenue. This strategic move enabled the company to secure the site approval from the gambling regulator. But the controversial approval captured the attention of lawmakers in the state, who filed a new bill that seeks to clear any inconsistencies and concerns in case other casino operators are interested in securing sites near the waterfront.

As announced by Sun Herald, the state’s legislators are currently reviewing a bill that seeks to clarify and change different provisions, ensuring clear rules are set for casinos interested in investments related to the state’s tidelands. Ultimately, the proposal seeks to outline a specific framework for the gambling regulator in cases similar to the recently approved license for RW Developments.

The proposal reiterates the currently established rules for casino projects on the state’s tidelands that require a minimum of 40,000 square feet of casino gaming space, along with restaurants and a minimum of 300 hotel rooms. Moreover, under the existing laws in Mississippi, such casino projects must boost the local economy and tourism as well.

Consistent Regulations to Protect the Environment, Encourage Investments

Under the proposal, SB 2780, Mississippi lawmakers seek to set clear lines when it comes to the authority of the state over Public Trust Tidelands. The proposal seeks to make it mandatory for casino licensees interested in tidelands projects to secure a tidelands lease via the secretary of state. Such licenses can also be subject to rent payable on an annual basis. The bill also seeks to clarify rules for cases related to Tidelands casino licenses that would not require annual rent.

The proposed bill is sponsored by the Senate Gaming Committee’s chairman, Sen. David Blount. “I am working with the Secretary of State’s office and every Coast casino operator on the bill,” he explained in a recent interview for Sun Herald. Additionally, Blount pointed out: “Now more than ever, we need to restore a consistent regulatory environment to preserve the sand beach and encourage further investment and improvements in the Coast casino market.”

Besides Sen. Blount, SB 2780 is sponsored by the Gaming Committee’s members, Jeremy England and Bryce Wiggins, along with Senators Philman Ladner and Mike Thompson.

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Different states across the US where casino gambling is legal have established exclusion lists. Such lists often include the names of individuals who were found guilty of gambling-related crimes or were involved in other illegal activities. With their name added to the infamous “black books,” those patrons are banned from visiting casinos in a particular state and may face legal action if they breach this prohibition.

It’s no surprise that Nevada, the home of Las Vegas, also has a black book that includes the names of patrons excluded from casino gambling. Following a Thursday meeting, the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC), unanimously voted to expand its list by adding another person, increasing the number of excluded individuals to a total of 36 people.

The person who was excluded is Shaun Joseph Benward, a 36-year-old resident from Mississippi who media reports described as an illusionist. His name was added to the state’s black book over allegations of scamming casinos in different states, including Nevada. The unanimous vote for Benward’s exclusion comes after earlier this year, the Commission nominated him for the list. Although the 36-year-old was notified about the Commission’s planned voting for Thursday, he did not appear.

Reportedly, Benward has a long list of convictions or arrests over cheating not only in Nevada but in Iowa, Ohio and New Jersey, among other states. He is also added to the exclusion lists for Missouri, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Delaware, prohibiting him from visiting casinos in those states.

An Unsophisticated Scheme

Michael Somps, senior deputy attorney general at Nevada Attorney General’s Office, explained the scheme which was allegedly used by Benward to scam casinos across the country out of thousands of dollars. The illusionist allegedly distracted roulette dealers by engaging in discussions with them. After that, Benward allegedly would place a wager late in the game and once the roulette ball lands would try to convince the dealer that his chips were placed on a wrong number. To ensure the trustworthiness of his story and pressure the dealer, the illusionist would work in a team with a second person that would confirm his false claim.

It is yet to be confirmed whether Benward is currently in Nevada or another US state. Still, a person that has identical names, the same age, who is also listed as an Ocean Springs, Mississippi resident, is currently on the most wanted list for Lyon County in Iowa. This individual is charged with failure to appear for ongoing criminal conduct, including six counts of gambling cheating, five counts of money laundering and two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony. According to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, the same person is wanted for similar charges in Mississippi, Rhode Island, as well as Pennsylvania.

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Earlier this month, law enforcement was dispatched to Robinsonville, Mississippi, after a shooting incident resulted in a car crash. The crime had taken place near a casino on Casino Center Drive and Tunica County Sheriff’s Office immediately started to investigate the shooting that resulted in the death of three individuals. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the shooting and subsequent accident have taken the lives of one 25-year-old from Robinsonville resident identified with the initials T.T.M., as well as a 23-year-old of Dundee identified with the initials S.D.B. The shooting and accident claimed the life of a 24-year-old Tunica resident with the initials D.M.I.

Last week, law enforcement confirmed that the 23-year-old was the driver of the vehicle who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. On the other hand, the 24-year-old who was killed wasn’t shot but died due to trauma caused by the vehicle crash. Finally, police confirmed that the 25-year-old woman who was also in the car was shot multiple times. She happened to be pregnant with an unborn child.

Upon announcing details regarding the ruthless crime, the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that it will seek punishment for Capitol murder. The described incident dates back to November 10, 2023, law enforcement confirmed.

Homicide Suspect Faces Three Counts of Capital Murder

In a Wednesday update, the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office announced it charged a person with the initials D.C.T., 18, suspected of the triple homicide that has taken place near the casino in Robinsonville. According to a statement by law enforcement, the suspect is currently being held without bond.

Charges against the alleged murderer include three counts of Capital murder, four counts of Shooting into a Motor Vehicle, as well as four counts of Conspiracy to Commit a crime. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the triple homicide case investigation is still ongoing. Moreover, police confirmed that they anticipate marking more related arrests. The Sheriff’s Office encouraged anyone who has information regarding the triple homicide to contact it or reach CrimeStoppers.

Under Mississippi Code Section 97-3-19(1) & (2)(j), Capital murder is subject to a penalty of life imprisonment or the death penalty. Currently, it is unclear whether the 18-year-old alleged murderer had any accomplices for the crime that has taken the lives of three people.

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Mississippi’s gambling regulator, the Mississippi Gaming Commission, published its sports wagering report for September 2023. The report highlights the performance of the state’s sportsbooks and shows which sports were the most popular among players.

In terms of sports betting handle, the Magnolia State’s sportsbooks managed to surpass the $50 billion mark, exceeding the results recorded in September 2022 when the local punters wagered $43,139,310. For reference, September 2023 saw Mississippians wager a total of $51,647,914 on sports. This figure translated into taxable revenue of $8,144,027 billion, which was lower than the revenue recorded in September 2022.

Coastal Mississippi contributed $33,494,794 of the total handle. Bettors in Central Mississippi, on the other hand, wagered $12,331,034. Northern Mississippi sports betting handle, meanwhile, lagged behind at $5,822,085.

Football Remained a Top Performer

The commission also published data about the most popular sports among bettors. According to the data provided by the commission, football remained the most popular sport in the state, although the total football handle experienced a decline in all areas but Central Mississippi. For reference, fans wagered a total of $5,935,048, $19,332,644 and $3,434,245 in Central, Coastal and Northern Mississippi, respectively.

Basketball was another strong contender, recording a handle of $166,396, $235,916 and $191,021 in Central, Coastal and Northern Mississippi, respectively.

Baseball fans in Central Mississippi wagered $1,291,297. Those in Coastal Mississippi bet $3,862,924 more. The baseball handle in Northern Mississippi lagged behind at $342,744.

Parlay cards remained a popular vertical, causing players in Central, Coastal and Northern Mississippi to bet $4,830,155, $5,359,855 and $1,542,319, respectively.

Other sports contributed $108,136, $4,703,453 and $311,754 in handle in Central, Coastal and Northern Mississippi, respectively.

In the meantime, the American Gaming Association published its Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker for August, reporting on the industry’s performance. Mississippi’s results for the period experienced a slight year-on-year decline of 3.7%.

In the meantime, the overall US gambling industry continued to perform well thanks to the contributions of the iGaming sector. According to experts, the favorable figures may signify a third record-breaking year for the US gambling industry.

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