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To: Gaming; Ways and Means
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Hines
HOUSE BILL NO. 76
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI LOTTERY CORPORATION BOARD 1
OF DIRECTORS TO AUTHORIZE VIDEO LOTTERY AND VIDEO LOTTERY 2
TERMINALS WITH LIMITATIONS ON TRANSACTION COSTS, MAXIMUM PAYOUTS 3
AND LOCATIONS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-115-5, 27-115-17, 27-115-69 4
AND 27-115-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE 5
PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 7
SECTION 1. Video lottery and video lottery terminals may be 8
authorized by the Mississippi Lottery Corporation Board of 9
Directors subject to the following limitations: 10
(a) Terminals may only accept One Cent (1¢) or 11
equivalent value per play of a game; 12
(b) Terminals may only pay out up to Seven Hundred 13
Fifty Dollars ($750.00) or equivalent value per play of a game; 14
(c) Terminals may only be authorized in truck stops; 15
and 16
(d) A maximum of five (5) truck stops per congressional 17
district may be authorized for video lottery terminals. 18
SECTION 2. Section 27-115-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 19
amended as follows: 20
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27-115-5. As used in this chapter, the following words and 21
phrases shall have the following meanings unless the context 22
clearly requires otherwise: 23
(a) "Corporation" means the Mississippi Lottery 24
Corporation. 25
(b) "Lottery" means any game of chance approved by the 26
corporation and operated pursuant to this chapter, which utilizes 27
the sale of paper tickets for various intrastate and multistate or 28
multisovereign lottery games (such as Pick-3, Pick-4, Mega 29
Millions, Powerball), and "instant tickets" as defined, but 30
specifically excluding any form of "video lottery" or use of 31
"video lottery terminal" as defined except as otherwise authorized 32
under Section 1 of this act. 33
(c) "Major procurement" means any item, product or 34
service in the amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) or 35
more, including, but not limited to, major advertising contracts, 36
annuity contracts, prizes, products, and services unique to the 37
Mississippi lottery. 38
(d) "Net proceeds" means gross lottery revenues minus 39
amounts paid as prizes and expenses of operation of the lottery. 40
(e) "Person" means any individual, corporation, 41
partnership, unincorporated association or other legal entity. 42
(f) "President" means the President of the Mississippi 43
Lottery Corporation, who shall also serve as chief executive 44
officer of the corporation. 45
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(g) "Retailer" means any person with whom the 46
corporation has contracted to sell lottery tickets to the public. 47
(h) "Security" means the protection of information that 48
would provide an unfair advantage to any individual involved in 49
the operation of the lottery, protection and preservation of the 50
integrity of lottery games and operations, as well as measures 51
taken to prevent crimes against the corporation and its retailers. 52
(i) "Vendor" means any person who has entered into a 53
contract with the corporation. 54
(j) "Fiscal year" means the fiscal year used by the 55
State of Mississippi government. 56
(k) "Board" means the Mississippi Lottery Corporation 57
Board of Directors. 58
(l) "Instant ticket" means a lottery game in which a 59
player scratches a coating from one or more play areas on a ticket 60
to determine if he or she has won, as indicated by the symbols and 61
words that are revealed. 62
(m) "Video lottery" and "video lottery terminal" means 63
any electronic interactive computerized game machine or device 64
equipped with a video screen and buttons, keys, a keyboard, 65
touchscreen or other input device allowing input by an individual 66
player and into which the player inserts coins, tokens, currency 67
or other representation of value (including, but not limited to, 68
an electronic card, ticket or other thing on which value is 69
recorded electronically) as consideration in order for play of a 70
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game to be available, and through which, as a result of the play 71
of a game, the player may receive free games, credits redeemable 72
for cash or a noncash prize, or some other thing of value, whether 73
or not received directly from the device, or nothing, determined 74
wholly or predominantly by chance. 75
SECTION 3. Section 27-115-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 76
amended as follows: 77
27-115-17. (1) Except as otherwise authorized under Section 78
1 of this act, the board shall not authorize, conduct or 79
administer lottery games involving the use of a "video lottery 80
terminal" as defined or any mobile or Internet-based or 81
monitor-based interactive game, or any simulated casino-style 82
game, including video poker, video roulette, slot machines or 83
video blackjack, or any variant of these prohibited games. 84
(2) The board may adopt administrative rules and regulations 85
for the conduct of specific lottery games and operations, 86
including, but not limited to, administrative rules and 87
regulations specifying: 88
(a) The types of lottery games to be conducted which 89
utilize the sale of paper tickets for various intrastate and 90
multistate or multisovereign lottery games (such as Pick-3, 91
Pick-4, Mega Millions, Powerball) and "instant tickets" as 92
defined. 93
(b) The sale price of tickets. 94
(c) The number and amount of prizes. 95
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(d) The methods to be used in selling tickets for 96
lottery games; provided, however, the corporation shall not permit 97
any lottery game to be played or ticket to be purchased, sold or 98
played by any method involving (i) a video lottery terminal except 99
as otherwise authorized under Section 1 of this act or (ii) by any 100
personal computer, tablet, smartphone, mobile device or other 101
similar equipment or type of device. 102
(e) The methods and location of selecting or validating 103
winning tickets. 104
(f) The frequency and the means of conducting drawings 105
which shall be open to the public. 106
(g) The manner of payment of prizes. 107
(h) The frequency of games and drawings. 108
(i) The manner and amount of compensation to lottery 109
retailers, except all compensation shall be uniform. 110
(j) Any other matters necessary to carry out this 111
chapter and necessary for the efficient and effective operation of 112
the lottery or for the convenience of the public. 113
(3) In all other matters, the board shall advise and make 114
recommendations. In addition, the board shall: 115
(a) Conduct hearings upon complaints charging 116
violations of this chapter or of administrative rules and 117
regulations adopted by the corporation and shall conduct such 118
other hearings as may be provided by administrative rules and 119
regulations. 120
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(b) Periodically, review the performance of the 121
corporation and: 122
(i) Advise the president and make recommendations 123
to him or her regarding operations of the corporation; and 124
(ii) Identify potential improvements in this 125
chapter, the administrative rules and regulations of the 126
corporation, and the management of the corporation. 127
(c) Request from the corporation any information the 128
board determines to be relevant to its duties. 129
(4) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to govern, 130
affect or limit gaming operations at a licensed gaming facility 131
nor shall this chapter be construed to supersede or preempt the 132
authority of the Mississippi Gaming Commission as it relates to 133
gaming operations occurring at a licensed gaming facility. 134
(5) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a licensed gaming 135
facility under the Mississippi Gaming Commission from applying and 136
operating as a lottery retailer under this chapter. 137
SECTION 4. Section 27-115-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 138
amended as follows: 139
27-115-69. (1) The corporation may purchase, lease or 140
lease-purchase such goods or services as are necessary for 141
effectuating the purposes of this chapter. The corporation shall 142
not contract with any person or entity for the total operation and 143
administration of the lottery, but it may make procurements which 144
integrate such functions as lottery game design, lottery ticket 145
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distribution to retailers, supply of goods and services, and 146
advertising. In all procurement decisions, the corporation shall 147
take into account the particularly sensitive nature of the lottery 148
and shall act to promote and ensure security, honesty, fairness 149
and integrity in the operation and administration of the lottery 150
and the objectives of raising net proceeds for the benefit of the 151
public. 152
(2) The corporation shall investigate the financial 153
responsibility, security and integrity of any lottery system 154
vendor who submits a bid, proposal or offer. At the time of 155
submitting such bid, proposal or offer to the corporation, the 156
corporation shall require the following items: 157
(a) A disclosure of the vendor's name and address and, 158
as applicable, the name and address of the following: 159
(i) If the vendor is a corporation, the officers, 160
directors and each stockholder in such corporation; however, in 161
the case of owners of equity securities of a publicly traded 162
corporation, only the names and addresses of those known to the 163
corporation to own five percent (5%) or more of such securities 164
need be disclosed. 165
(ii) If the vendor is a trust, the trustee and all 166
persons entitled to receive income or benefits from the trust. 167
(iii) If the vendor is an association, the 168
members, officers and directors. 169
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(iv) If the vendor is a partnership or joint 170
venture, all of the general partners, limited partners, or joint 171
venturers. 172
(b) A disclosure of all the states and jurisdictions in 173
which the vendor does business, and the nature of the business for 174
each such state or jurisdiction. 175
(c) A disclosure of all the states and jurisdictions in 176
which the vendor has contracts to supply gaming goods or services, 177
including, but not limited to, lottery goods and services, and the 178
nature of the goods or services involved for each such state or 179
jurisdiction. 180
(d) A disclosure of all the states and jurisdictions in 181
which the vendor has applied for, has sought renewal of, has 182
received, has been denied, has pending, or has had revoked a 183
gaming license of any kind, or had fines or penalties assessed on 184
their license, contract, or operation, and the disposition of such 185
in each such state or jurisdiction. If any lottery license or 186
contract has been revoked or has not been renewed or any lottery 187
license or application has remained pending for more than six (6) 188
months, then it shall be disclosed. 189
(e) A disclosure of the details of any finding of a 190
plea, conviction or adjudication for guilt, in a state or federal 191
court, of the vendor for any felony or any other criminal offense 192
other than a traffic violation. 193
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(f) A disclosure of the details of any bankruptcy, 194
insolvency, reorganization, corporate or individual purchase or 195
takeover of another corporation, including bonded indebtedness, or 196
any pending litigation of the vendor. 197
(g) Such additional disclosures and information as the 198
corporation may determine to be appropriate for the procurement 199
involved. If the vendor subcontracts any substantial portion of 200
the work to be performed under the contract to a subcontractor, 201
the vendor shall disclose all of the information required by this 202
subsection for the subcontractor as if the subcontractor were 203
itself a vendor. 204
(3) In no case shall the corporation enter into a contract 205
for a procurement of any video lottery or video lottery terminal 206
except as otherwise authorized under Section 1 of this act or any 207
other illegal lottery device, and shall only enter into a contract 208
for a procurement for any lottery system with a vendor who has 209
complied with the disclosures required by the corporation and 210
described in subsection (2) of this section, and any contract with 211
such a vendor is void and unenforceable. Any contract with a 212
vendor who does not comply with such requirements for periodically 213
updating such disclosures during the tenure of a contract as may 214
be specified in such contract is voidable and may be terminated by 215
the corporation. The provisions of this section shall be 216
construed broadly and liberally to achieve the ends of full 217
disclosure of all information necessary to allow for a full and 218
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complete evaluation by the corporation of the competence, 219
integrity, background and character of vendors. 220
(4) (a) A contract shall not be entered into with any 221
vendor who has been found guilty of a felony related to the 222
security or integrity of the lottery in this or any other 223
jurisdiction or with any vendor who is found to be in possession 224
of any illegal lottery device. 225
(b) A contract shall not be entered into with any 226
vendor who has not first obtained a signed tax clearance from the 227
Commissioner of Revenue indicating that the vendor is current in 228
filing all applicable tax returns and in payment of all taxes, 229
interest and penalties owed to the State of Mississippi, excluding 230
items under formal appeal pursuant to applicable statutes. 231
(5) The corporation may require that each vendor shall, at 232
the execution of the contract with the corporation, post a 233
performance bond or letter of credit from a bank acceptable to the 234
corporation, in an amount established by the corporation subject 235
to the provisions of Section 27-115-61. In lieu of the bond, a 236
vendor may, to assure the faithful performance of its obligations, 237
deposit and maintain with the corporation securities that are 238
interest-bearing or accruing and that are rated in one (1) of the 239
three (3) highest classifications by an established nationally 240
recognized investment rating service. Securities eligible under 241
this subsection are limited to: 242
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(a) Certificates of deposit issued by solvent banks or 243
savings associations approved by the corporation and which are 244
organized and existing under the laws of this state or under the 245
laws of the United States. 246
(b) United States bonds, notes, and bills for which the 247
full faith and credit of the government of the United States is 248
pledged for the payment of principal and interest. 249
(c) Corporate bonds approved by the corporation. The 250
corporation which issued the bonds shall not be an affiliate or 251
subsidiary of the depositor. Such securities shall be held in 252
trust. 253
(6) Every contract entered into by the corporation pursuant 254
to this section shall contain a provision for payment of 255
liquidated damages to the corporation for any breach of contract 256
by the vendor. 257
(7) Each vendor shall be qualified to do business in this 258
state and shall file appropriate tax returns as provided by the 259
laws of this state. All contracts under this section shall be 260
governed by the laws of this state. 261
SECTION 5. Section 27-115-83, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 262
amended as follows: 263
27-115-83. (1) Illegal lottery devices as described in this 264
section are considered gambling devices and contraband. 265
(2) As used in this section, the term "illegal lottery 266
device" means: 267
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ST: Video lottery terminals; authorize lottery
board to allow with certain restrictions.
(a) Forged, counterfeit, or stolen, or improperly 268
issued or illegally possessed lottery tickets. 269
(b) Any device or equipment that is in itself or is 270
being used as part of any sort of a video lottery terminal except 271
as otherwise authorized under Section 1 of this act. 272
(c) Any tickets, payouts, receipts or the like which 273
are generated by, taken from or are related to any sort of a video 274
lottery terminal except as otherwise authorized under Section 1 of 275
this act. 276
(3) All law enforcement officers of municipal police forces, 277
sheriff's departments, and the state shall confiscate and preserve 278
all illegal lottery devices that come to their attention for 279
evidence in the prosecution of those individuals in possession of 280
same. Any such illegal lottery device will be subject to 281
confiscation and destruction. 282
(4) Neither the state nor any political subdivision, agency, 283
agent, or enforcement officer thereof shall be liable civilly or 284
criminally for the destruction of any illegal lottery device. 285
SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from 286
and after July 1, 2026. 287