Licensing

Licensing. An operator offering fantasy contests to be played by persons in Mississippi must obtain a license from the Commission to conduct fantasy contests within this state if the operator’s total player roster for all fantasy contests over the course of any calendar year consists of one hundred (100) or more members of the general public. (a) An operator offering fantasy contests to be played by persons in this state must obtain a license from the Commission to conduct fantasy contests within this state. (b) An operator offering fantasy contests within this state must be lawfully conducting business within this state. (c) An application for licensure shall be made to the Executive Director on forms furnished by the Executive Director and in accordance with the rules of the Commission. The application shall include: 1. The name of the proposed licensee; 2. The location of his place or places of business; 3. The names of employees and interested individuals with substantial control of the Fantasy Contest Operator as determined by the Executive Director. 4. Complete information and details with respect to the individuals selected to be investigated by the Executive director, including antecedents, habits, character, business activities, financial affairs, criminal history and business associates, covering at least a ten (10) year period immediately preceding the date of the application; 6. Evidence of compliance with applicable requirements of the Fantasy Contest Act; and 7. Such other information and details as the Commission or Executive Director may require in order to discharge their duties properly. (d) An application for a license to conduct fantasy contests shall not be granted unless the application has satisfied the Commission that: 1. The applicant has adequate business probity, competence, and experience; and 2. The proposed financing of the entire operation is: i. Adequate for the nature of the proposed operation; and ii. From a suitable source. Any lender or other source of money or credit which the Commission finds does not meet the standards set forth in this subsection may be deemed unsuitable. (e) An application for a license to conduct fantasy contests constitutes a request for a determination of the general character, integrity, and ability to participate or engage in, or be associated with, fantasy contests of any individual associated with the applicant. Any written or oral statement made in the course of an official proceeding of the Commission or the Executive Director or any testimony of a witness testifying under oath that is relevant to the purpose of the proceeding is absolutely privileged and does not impose liability for defamation or constitute a ground for recovery in any civil action. (f) The Commission, in its discretion, may grant a license to a corporation that has complied with the provisions of Miss. Code Ann. §§ 97-33-301 through 97-33-317. (g) The Commission, in its discretion, may grant a license to a limited partnership that has complied with the provisions of Miss. Code Ann. §§ 97-33-301 through 97-33-317. (h) No limited partnership, except one whose sole limited partner is a publicly traded corporation that is licensed by the Commission, or business trust or organization, or other association of a quasi-corporate character is eligible to receive or hold any license under Miss. Code Ann. §§ 97- 33-301 through 97-33-317 unless all persons having any direct or indirect interest therein of any nature whatsoever, whether financial, administrative, policymaking, or supervisory, are individually qualified to be licensed under the provisions of Miss. Code Ann. §§ 97-33-301 through 97-33-317. (i) Only a licensee under the Gaming Control Act may offer on-premises fantasy contests in the licensee's licensed gaming establishment. An operator offering on-premises fantasy contests under this subsection must verify that a fantasy contest player is twenty-one (21) years of age or older. (j) Each applicant for licensure as a fantasy contest operator shall pay an application fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). A license is valid for three (3) years. (k) An applicant shall pay all or any part of those fees and costs of investigation of such applicant as may be determined by the Executive Director. (l) A person, firm, corporation, association, agent, or employee violating the Fantasy Contest Act shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each separate violation not to exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00). Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 97-33-309.