that states had to Ok the "Riverboats" (whether they were really boats or not). I remember Indiana going through this in the legislature. It seems to be a means of making gambling
palatable for people. Now that people are Ok with Riverboats they have moved on to Racetrack betting and the new Casino project in French Lick.
In fact - under Mississippi law - the county has to approve it also - or at least not vote against it:
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Criminal Laws
Last Visited 2003-9-4
SEC. 97-33-1. Betting, gaming or wagering; exception from prohibition; penalty.
If any person shall encourage, promote or play at any game, play or amusement, other than a fight or fighting match between dogs, for money or other valuable thing, or shall wager or bet, promote or encourage the wagering or betting of any money or other valuable things, upon any game, play, amusement, cockfight, Indian ball play, or duel, other than a fight or fighting match between dogs, or upon the result of any election, event or contingency whatever, upon conviction thereof, he shall be fined in a sum not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00); and, unless such fine and costs be immediately paid, shall be imprisoned for any period not more than ninety (90) days. However, this section shall not apply to betting, gaming or wagering:
(a) On a cruise vessel as defined in Section 27-109-1 whenever such vessel is in the waters within the State of Mississippi, which lie adjacent to the State of Mississippi south of the three (3) most southern counties in the State of Mississippi, and in which the registered voters of the county in which the port is located have not voted to prohibit such betting, gaming or wagering on cruise vessels as provided in Section 19-3-79;
(b) On a vessel as defined in Section 27-109-1 whenever such vessel is on the Mississippi River or navigable waters within any county bordering on the Mississippi River, and in which the registered voters of the county in which the port is located have not voted to prohibit such betting, gaming or wagering on vessels as provided in Section 19-3-79; or
(c) That is legal under the laws of the State of Mississippi.
http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Laws/Mississippi/