Mississippi Burning: Internet Poker Bill Dies in Committee

A controversial Internet poker bill that would have seen players funds essentially confiscated for nonactivity has died a quick death in the Mississippi legislature.

House Bill 1373, the Mississippi Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2012, was introduced by State Representative Bobby Moak on February 20 and managed to raise eyebrows among those in the poker community. 

One of the more interesting provisions includes allowing the online gambling operator to keep a portion of any players funds if his or her account remains inactive for a period of a year.  The remaining monies were to go to the state.  Another provision looked to punish operators who allowed customers from out of state to play for real money. 

Application fees would have totaled $200,000 with a $100,000 renewal fee each year.

Mississippi’s relatively small population of just under 3 million was not viewed as sustainable for a competitive online poker player pool. 

- Ace King, Gambling911.com