Dumb Law of the Day: Gambling and Vagrancy in Mississippi

Let's start this blog with an interesting law still on the books in Mississippi, deep South land of casino gambling. Section 97-35-37 of the Mississippi Code defines "vagrants," and subsection (j) classifies "Every keeper of a house of gambling or gaming" as a vagrant.

Let's see - - - so the general manager of the Beau Rivage, a Mirage resort that cost more than $300 Million to build, is, by definition, a vagrant? The penalty upon conviction of a first offense of vagrancy is not less than ten days in jail and not more than thirty days, plus a bond of not less than $250 "for the future industry and good conduct of such person for one year from the date of giving such bond." (97-35-39)