History of Mississippi Gambling

by Jerry "Jet" Whittaker

February 9, 2006

Know It All

Gambling in Mississippi is some centuries old. Even before Europeans or Africans called the state their home, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and other Indian people in the region gambled regularly. Early accounts tell that American Indians were fond of games and gambling. Amongst the popular sports was stick ball, or ishtaboli, which means “little brother of war.” It is highly competitive and combative and here two teams try to score by tossing a ball against the goal post of the opposing team. This game somehow resembled a modern-day combination of football and lacrosse, without helmets and padding. Wagers on the outcome of the game were placed, like today’s sports betting. These wagers often included all of the players’ possessions

Knowing About Cards, Horse Racing And Billiards In Early Mississippi Gambling –

Cards - After Europeans and Africans established themselves in the Mississippi region, gambling practices started in different forms. Checkers, cards, and billiards were some popular wagering games among early French colonists. Especially popular were card games. There were some Promissory notes that were found in early 18th-century settlements written on the backs of homemade cards with the pledging of the loser to make a future payment to the winner.

Horse Racing - In the 1790’s, when Mississippi was a Spanish territory, some horse racing enthusiasts built the Fleetfield Race Track in Natchez. When it was completed in 1795, Natchezians went to the track and placed bets on their favorite horses and jockeys, while enjoying the social atmosphere. So, when Mississippi became a state on December 10, 1817, gambling was a part of its past.

During the 1830s and 1840s, when the population of the state grew, entertainment opportunities also increased. Many early 19th-century Mississippians enjoyed on the Mississippi Coast on the Gulf of Mexico. The Hotels there then started offering lawn bowling, billiards, sailing, hunting, and dancing. The early tourist destinations in Biloxi included the Magnolia Hotel, the Nixon Hotel, Madame Pradat’s, and Shady Grove Hotel. These hotels provided entertainment and gambling options. Further when gambling was made legal in Mississippi, hotels and many smaller establishments started offering slot machines for their guests, along with other activities such as dancing and golfing. Then, slot machines also appeared in grocery stores and some other businesses. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, gambling was viewed as a means for stimulating the economy, especially along the Gulf Coast.

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