The Mississippi laws permit retail betting activities at land-based casinos. Online sports betting remain illegal in the state.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Mississippi?

During the 1990 special legislative session, the Mississippi Legislature passed House Bill 2, legalizing dockside casino gambling. In 2018, Mississippi permitted retail betting activities at brick-and-mortar casinos.

This brings us to a crucial question: is online sports betting legal in Mississippi?

No, online casino gambling and sports betting are still prohibited in Mississippi. However, the legalization of online gambling in Mississippi is on the cards as the legislature is working on an online sports betting Bill.

House Bill 271

With almost 30 brick-and-mortar casinos and retail sportsbooks in the Magnolia State, lawmakers in Mississippi are pushing for the legalization of online sports betting.

House Bill 271, brought forward by Democratic Rep. Cedric Burnett in 2023, created a Mobile-Online Sports Betting Task Force to conduct public hearings. H.B. 271 seeks to allow betting via ”digital platforms, popularly known as online sports betting apps and websites. If the bill is signed into law, Mississippi players will be free to bet online on legal sportsbooks (a bookmaker that holds a Mississippi gaming license, such as DraftKings sportsbook or FanDuel).

The Mobile-Online Sports Betting Task Force Report

The Mobile Online Sports Betting Committee released its report in December 2023. The report is based on three public hearings and outlines all the concerns raised about online gambling in Mississippi.

The task force established that adopting online sports gambling would spur the growth of the gambling industry in Mississippi. This was in reference to Kansas state, where more than $1.5 billion was staked in 2023 compared to $500 million in the Magnolia State.

The committee also established that Mississippi residents had a growing interest in gambling online. GeoComply, a company that works with online sportsbooks to reveal the location of sports bettors, provided data showing thousands of attempts to gamble online via offshore betting companies.

After a session with the task force, Casey Eure, the chair of the House Gaming Committee, said there are plans to introduce a law that will legalize and govern online sports betting in Mississippi.

Online Sports Betting Tax System Proposed in H.B. 271

So far, the Bill has been blocked by some local retail casinos even though the majority supports the legalization, as they will be given a chance to provide online sports betting services. The Bill proposes a tiered taxation system based on monthly gross revenue:

  • 4% tax rate for companies with gross revenue not exceeding $50,000 per month
  • 6% tax rate on gross revenue that is over $50,000 but doesn’t exceed $134,000 monthly
  • 8% tax rate for companies generating gross revenue that exceeds $134,000 a month

When Will Mississippi Legalize Online Sports Betting?

It is still unclear when online sports betting will become legal in Mississippi. However, if the Senate passes the House bill into law, online gambling will become legal in Mississippi, effective 1 July 2024.

The Mississippi legislature passed House Bill 774 this year, seeking to permit all land-based casinos to start offering online sports betting services. If the bill becomes law, casinos, in addition to existing retail sports betting bookmakers, will partner with one licensed platform to offer online sports wagering.

The potential tax revenue from mobile sports betting proposed in H.B. 774 and 271 could tempt the Mississippi legislature to legalize online betting sites.

H.B. 774 sets a minimum age of 21 for accessing legal sports betting sites from anywhere within Mississippi.

Why is Mississippi Delaying Legalizing Online Sports Betting?

With retail sports betting already legal at state brick-and-mortar casinos, several bills seeking to legalize online betting have failed. And there are reasons for the failed attempts.

Problem Gambling

The Magnolia state fears that the convenience of accessing sports betting sites online would result in gambling addiction. With the widespread internet services, if Mississippi allows online gambling, players will be able to bet on any sport anytime, anywhere, using their mobile phones, computers, or tablets. This will certainly lead to increased cases of problem gambling.

Players with problem gambling can use the following resources provided by the Mississippi Gambling Commission:

Outcry from Brick and Mortar Casinos

Another reason that could be holding Mississippi from legalizing online gambling is the outcry from brick and mortar casinos. Land-based operators fear that if the online sports betting bill is signed into law, the legislation will undermine the retail sports betting model.

Additionally, allowing residents to bet online will reduce the number of patrons visiting brick and mortar casinos and retail sportsbooks. This will affect local restaurants around the casinos as there will be little or no patrons booking hotel rooms and meals.

What are the Legal Sports Gambling Websites in Mississippi?

The sports betting Mississippi laws are unique. While the laws permit retail sports betting, online betting websites are restricted from offering gaming services in Mississippi. There’s an exception, though.

Mississippi State allows BetMGM, DraftKings, Caesars, and Pearl River online bookies to operate under strict rules. Players can only place bets with online bookmakers at state-approved casinos, making it more like retail sports betting.

BetMGM is the best online sportsbook in Mississippi. However, to bet online, including live betting using the BetMGM sportsbook app, you must be in the following qualifying locations:

  • Beau Rivage: 875 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, MS, 39530
  • Gold Strike: 1010 Casino Center Drive, Tunica Resorts, MS, 38664

Frequently Asked Questions

Is online sports betting legal in Mississippi?

No. While state laws allow the operation of retail sportsbooks throughout Mississippi, online sports betting remains illegal. However, Mississippi residents can bet online while at select locations such as Gold Strike or Beau Rivage.

What are the best sportsbook promos in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, players can only bet online at licensed casinos. Due to strict regulations, only a few operators offer online sports betting in the state, so there are no sportsbook promos.

Are daily fantasy sports allowed in Mississippi?

Yes, according to Mississippi law, online platforms like FanDuel DFS or DraftKings DFS are allowed to offer Daily Fantasy Sports.

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