Mississippi Proposes Bill to Deduct Child Support from Casino Winnings
Overview of the Proposed Legislation
Mississippi’s House and Senate have recently approved House Bill 520 and Senate Bill 2369. These bills aim to enforce the collection of unpaid child support directly from casino gambling winnings. The legislation targets large gambling payouts by implementing new requirements for casinos.
Details of the Bill
The bills, nearly identical in content, mandate that casinos must verify significant winnings against a state-maintained database overseen by the Department of Human Services. If the winner has outstanding child support obligations, the casino is required to withhold the owed amount before disbursing the prize.
This legislation applies specifically to slot machine jackpots exceeding $2,000. The Senate version further includes large sports betting winnings, but excludes games like craps and card games.
If passed, the new system would take effect starting July 1, 2026. The Gaming Commission and the Department of Human Services will have until January 1, 2027, to establish the necessary procedures. Casinos would be permitted to charge up to $35 per transaction as an administrative fee. Winners will have 30 days to dispute any withholding if they believe there has been a mistake in identifying the individual or the amount owed.
Supporters of the bill note that the Department of Human Services can recover approximately two-thirds of the system’s operational costs through this initiative.
Perspectives from Lawmakers and Officials
State Senator Walter Michel, a Republican representing District 25, expressed his support for the database system, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that past-due child support payments are collected to benefit the children involved.
On the other hand, Chuck Adams voiced opposition, arguing that the government already collects child support through various means like wage garnishments and tax refunds. He believes this new measure adds an unnecessary layer of financial burden on individuals.
Concerns have also been raised about data privacy and the handling of sensitive personal information exchanged between casinos and government agencies. State Representative John Hines, a Democrat from District 55, questioned who would have control over critical personal data such as social security numbers, driver’s licenses, and financial records.
House Bill author Representative Jay McKnight reassured colleagues that casinos would not have access to such sensitive personal information under the proposed system.
Context and Related Legislation
This bill is part of broader gambling-related discussions in Mississippi. Recently, state lawmakers have revisited the topic of legalizing mobile sports betting, a debate that has persisted in both the House and Senate for some time.
