If you win a big jackpot at a casino in Mississippi, you might see some of that money go toward unpaid child support if you owe it.
Both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature recently passed House Bill 520 and Senate Bill 2369. These bills propose using casino winnings as a way to collect unpaid child support.
The new bills propose that casinos check a state database to see if winners have any child support debt. If they do, the casino would take the amount owed out of the winnings, up to the full value of the jackpot, to help pay down the debt before giving the rest to the winner.
The news comes on the heels of the announcement that, at the same time, lawmakers are attempting to ban sweepstakes casinos in The Magnolia State. Lawmakers failed to ban them last year.
What's Considered a 'Big Win'?
Casino jackpots come in many forms, but the bills focus on "major jackpots," meaning any winnings of $2,000 or more from slot machines.
The Senate version also includes big wins from sports betting. However, classic table games like poker or roulette aren't included, so those winnings wouldn't be affected.
“It’s a straightforward concept,” Sen. Walter Michel, author of the Senate bill, told WLBT News. “When someone wins big at a casino, the casino checks a state database first. If that person owes back child support, the state takes what’s owed before the winner sees a dime.”
Casinos can charge up to $35 as a processing fee for each transaction. If a winner thinks there is a mistake with their identity or the amount they owe, they have 30 days to challenge the decision.
Mississippi Struggles to Collect Child Support
Mississippi has long struggled with collecting child support, ranking low in the U.S. Only about 52% of child support payments are collected, leaving many children without the support they need.
The state owes around $1.7 billion in unpaid child support. Supporters say this law targets parents who gamble big but have not been fulfilling their child support duties. Other states, like Louisiana, have similar systems.
This initiative to use casino jackpots to collect child support is unprecedented in The Magnolia State.
Although similar ideas have been proposed before, this is the first time both chambers have agreed.
When Will The New Casino Jackpot Law Go Into Effect?
The bills have passed both the House and Senate with strong support.
They are now waiting for the governor’s signature to become law.
Once these bills are signed into law, the whole system will begin on July 1, 2026. That means casinos along the Gulf Coast and riverboats would be more effective at collecting child support.
By January 1, 2027, the Mississippi Gaming Commission and the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) would need to have all the required systems in place, including data sharing and checking processes.
Not Everyone is On Board
Public opinion on the casino jackpot law is mixed.
While many see this as a smart way to make sure kids come first, others worry about its impact on casinos or view it as too intrusive.
Some people see it as a fair way to ensure children receive the support they deserve, arguing that if someone can afford to gamble, they can afford to pay child support. Others feel it might discourage people from gambling in Mississippi.
In any case, this is an example of Mississippi using its casino industry to address child support challenges, with potential impacts both for families in need and the gaming sector.
