Opinion ID: 1833492
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: whether the commission's decision was correct on the merits.

Text: ¶ 16. Although the circumstances of the circuit judge's ruling are unusual, the circuit court is merely a gatekeeper for patron dispute actions. Id. § 75-76-173. This case would have appeared before this Court upon a normal appeal, and it is therefore appropriate that we examine the merits now. ¶ 17. Under Miss.Code Ann. § 75-76-171(3), a court reviewing a decision of the Gaming Commission may reverse the decision if the substantial rights of the petitioner have been prejudiced because the decision is: (a) In violation of constitutional provisions; (b) In excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the commission; (c) Made upon unlawful procedure; (d) Unsupported by any evidence; or (e) Arbitrary or capricious or otherwise not in accordance with law. Grand Casino asserts that this statutory provision demands that not only should the circuit court's decision be reversed, there is also no need to remand because the Commission's decision originally should have been affirmed. As an element to this argument, Grand Casino asserts that the Commission's decision did not violate any of the enumerated causes for reversal. From the facts and procedural posture presented, the Gaming Commission's decision does not appear to have violated any of these principles. ¶ 18. Once again, Shindler's counter-argument is to classify the claims as common law actions as to which the Commission did not rule, making reversal of its decision necessary. He suggests that since his arguments belong in front of a civil jury, they were not properly addressed by the Commission. The theory is as follows. Under Miss. Const. art. 3, § 31, a civil plaintiff has a constitutional right to a jury trial. Since Shindler's claims are based on common law doctrine and he did not have a jury at the Commission hearing, he has been denied a constitutional right. Therefore, according to Shindler, the circuit court was bound to reverse the Commission's decision, even considering § 75-76-171(3). ¶ 19. Since the Commission had jurisdiction and Shindler's theory is not persuasive, the Commission's decision should not have been reversed and in fact should be reinstated.