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The Mississippi Lawyer Spring 2015 15 tigations review the background and char- acter of gaming employees the sources of financing for acquisitions and develop- ment of casinos and the overall business capability of the operator. The Commis- sion has the authority to limit condition suspend or revoke any gaming license. See Miss. Code Ann. 75-76-103. In some circumstances an individuals gaming license may be revoked automatically such as the conviction of a felony. The Commission also has the discretion to fine a licensee for any violation of the Gaming Control Act or the Mississippi Gaming Commission Regulations. In 2014 the commission developed new infrastructure requirements for casi- nos with the goal of increasing amenities beyond just the gaming product. For a casino development to receive approval it must have at a minimum a 300-room or larger hotel with at least a three-dia- mond rating a restaurant capable of seat- ing at least 200 people a fine dining facil- ity capable of seating 75 people a 40000 square foot or larger casino floor and the project must have or support an amenity that is unique to the market and shown to encourage economic development and tourism. Currently a new casino is being developed that falls under these new stan- dards that will be DIbervilles first casi- no. Additionally the state has 28 state- regulated casinos 9 in Harrison County 2 in Hancock County 2 in Adams County 4 in Warren County 2 in Washington County 1 in Coahoma County and 8 in Tunica County. While it is not state regu- lated the original Silver Star casino is now part of the larger Pearl River Resort which also features the Golden Moon casino the Dancing Rabbit Golf Club the Geyser Falls water park and other non-gaming amenities. Hancock County was the first county to approve dockside gambling in December 1990. When gaming was approved by local vote in Harrison County and Biloxi it took a second vote and only passed by a narrow majority. Today Hancock and Harrison Counties host some of the best locations for tourism in our state and it can be argued that much of that is owed to gaming. Tunica County had the unfortunate designation as the poorest county in the nation prior to the introduction of gaming to the area. Now the tax revenue from gaming has lifted that label and provided much needed employment and infrastructure to the area. While not everyone will agree that gaming is a good thing for the state the fact remains that it is here as an established industry and therefore must be scrutinized and regulated strictly but fairly. Mississippi has done an excellent job of developing the gaming product here all while keeping the industry virtually scan- dal free. The lawmakers that helped pass the initial legislation and adapted to changes the existence of a good regulato- ry framework and the attorneys that prac- tice in the gaming area can be thanked for that. I Jay McDaniel is the Deputy Director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission and Treasurer of the Gaming Section of the Mississippi Bar. Prior to joining the gam- ing commission Jay practiced in the litiga- tion department at Butler Snow LLP. Jay is a graduate of Mississippi College School of Law and earned his B.S. in Accounting from Mississippi State University. Legalized Gaming in Mississippi A Young Industry with an Eventful History