North America

A bill in Mississippi that would increase taxes on land-based casinos in an attempt to help offset lost revenues from illegal sports betting is making progress in the House.

HB 1881, the Integrity in Gaming in Support of Honest Taxpayers Act, would impose an additional 4% tax on gross casino revenue. That would take the casino tax ceiling in the state from 12% to 16%. Currently, 8% of casino revenues go to the state and 4% to local schools and government.

Rep. Trey Lamar’s bill asserts that the State of Mississippi is losing approximately $50 million dollars annually due to illegal gambling. The purpose of his legislation is to generate revenue that will be used to replace that lost revenue.

The bill originated in the House Ways and Means Committee, which Lamar chairs, and was approved on Tuesday. It will subsequently be read and debated in the full chamber.

The act would be effective July 1 of this year.

Local media including The Clarion-Ledger reports that Lamar said at the comm..

Lawmakers in Iowa are introducing a measure aimed at cracking down on sportsbook account sharing and proxy wagering across the state.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety has proposed Senate Study Bill 1097 as a measure aimed at protecting the public from deceptive practices by considering account sharing and proxy betting as illegal gaming. SSB 1097 proposes an amendment to Iowa’s gambling games and sports wagering rules to include definitions of account sharing and proxy betting. Patrons who have violated state rules by meeting the standards of account sharing and proxy betting are in violation of Iowa law and are subject to criminal penalties.

SSB 1097 aims to provide law enforcement with the proper authority to penalize account sharing and proxy betting by providing a clear definition. Iowa’s current gaming rules do not include any mention of account sharing or proxy wagering providing no pathway for law enforcement to charge patrons who have violated the state’s existing rules o..