Can I offer contests that involve chance-based games in Mississippi? What are the requirements?

Yes, it is legal to offer contests that involve chance-based games in Mississippi as long as they are authorized by Chapter 115, Title 27 ^{[1.1][1.5][1.7][1.9]}. However, there are certain requirements that must be met in order to operate such games legally.

Non-profit organizations are allowed to conduct raffles, but all proceeds must go to that organization and be dispersed in accordance with the organization’s rules and regulations ^[1.1].

For lotteries, it is illegal to sell or offer for sale any lottery ticket, whether the lottery be in or out of the state, or for or in any other state, territory, district, or country, unless it is authorized by Chapter 115, Title 27 ^[1.5]. It is also illegal to buy any lottery ticket in the state unless it is authorized by Chapter 115, Title 27 ^[1.7].

Acting as an agent for any lottery or lottery company, no matter where domiciled or located, is also illegal unless it is authorized by Chapter 115, Title 27 ^[1.9].

In addition, there are certain restrictions on advertising lotteries and other chance-based games. For example, it is illegal to advertise any lottery or knowingly possess any lottery advertisements of any kind, save a regularly issued newspaper containing such an advertisement without intent to circulate the same as an advertisement ^[1.3]. Similarly, newspapers published or circulated in Mississippi that contain an advertisement of any lottery or any matter intended to advertise a lottery are also illegal ^[1.8].

However, these restrictions do not apply to the operation of any game or lottery authorized by Chapter 115, Title 27 ^{[1.2][1.3][1.4][1.6][1.8]}. Therefore, if you want to offer contests that involve chance-based games in Mississippi, you must ensure that they are authorized by Chapter 115, Title 27 and comply with the requirements set forth in the Mississippi Code of 1972.

Source(s):

• [1.1] Raffles; applicability of section to games or lotteries authorized by Mississippi lottery law.
• [1.2] Lotteries; steamboats; applicability of section to games or lotteries authorized by Mississippi lottery law.
• [1.3] Lotteries; advertising prohibited; applicability of section to games or lotteries authorized by Mississippi lottery law.
• [1.4] Lotteries; railroads; applicability of section to games or lotteries authorized by Mississippi lottery law.
• [1.5] Lotteries; sale of tickets; applicability of section to games or lotteries authorized by Mississippi lottery law.
• [1.6] Lotteries; advertising prohibited; sale of newspapers; applicability of section to games or lotteries authorized by Mississippi lottery law.
• [1.7] Lotteries; buying tickets in state prohibited; applicability of section to games or lotteries authorized by Mississippi lottery law.
• [1.8] Lotteries; advertising prohibited; publication or circulation of newspapers; applicability of section to games or lotteries authorized by Mississippi lottery law.
• [1.9] Lotteries; acting as agent for; applicability of section to games or lotteries authorized by Mississippi lottery law.

Jurisdiction

Mississippi

• Gaming