Mississippi Advances Bill to Collect Child Support From Casino Winnings

Mississippi’s House and Senate passed House Bill 520/Senate Bill 2369 earlier this week, which would require unpaid child support to be collected from gambling winnings.

What Is This New Bill?

House Bill 520 and Senate Bill 2369 are almost identical measures that would require casinos to check significant winnings against a state database managed by the Department of Human Services. If a winner has unpaid child support, the casino would deduct the outstanding amount before issuing the payout.

The legislation applies only to large jackpots, specifically, slot machine winnings exceeding $2,000. The Senate version also covers substantial sports betting wins, while excluding table games such as craps and card games.

If enacted, the system would go into effect on July 1, 2026. The Gaming Commission and the Department of Human Services would have until January 1, 2027, to develop the policies and procedures needed to implement it. Casinos could charge an administrative fee of up to $35 per transaction. Individuals would have 30 days to dispute the withholding if they believe there is an error in their identity or the amount owed.

According to the bill’s supporters, the legislation also permits the Department of Human Services to recoup about 66% of the costs associated with creating and maintaining the system.

Senators and Officials Comment on the Bill

State Sen. Walter Michel, a Republican representing District 25, said that if someone owes past-due child support, he supports making the database available to ensure the money goes toward supporting children.

Chuck Adams, however, opposes the legislation, saying the proposal frustrates him. He argued that the government already collects money from families through paychecks and income tax refunds and is now seeking yet another way to take from people’s earnings and winnings.

Others raised concerns about data security and oversight of the personal information exchanged between casinos and state agencies. State Rep. John Hines, a Democrat representing District 55, asked who controls sensitive data such as a person’s social security number or driver’s license, or even financial records.

Rep. Jay McKnight, however, who is also the author of the House version of the bill, reassured other lawmakers that casinos would not have access to a person’s personal information.

The latest bill is one of a series of gambling related legislations that Mississippi officials have been discussing in recent months. Just a couple of weeks, for example, Mississippi lawmakers once again discussed legalizing mobile sports betting in the state – a subject that has long been debated in the House and Senate.