Mississippi Sports Betting Will Remain Limited to Casinos as Online Bill Fails
Mississippi Sports Betting Will Remain Limited to Casinos as Online Bill Fails
Key Points:
- Legislation to allow online sports betting in Mississippi is dead for 2025
- Sports betting is limited to retail casino sportsbooks
- A motion to ban controversial sweeps websites also failed
Mississippi sports betting is currently limited to the state’s 26 commercial casinos and three tribal gaming facilities, and this restriction is set to continue after a recent legislative effort to authorise online betting opportunities was unsuccessful. This pattern has persisted for several years as lawmakers in Jackson have continually rejected proposals to expand sports wagering to include online options.
Mississippi embraced retail sports betting shortly after the US Supreme Court invalidated the federal ban on the activity in May 2018, which facilitated the rapid establishment of retail sportsbooks across Mississippi casinos by August 2018.
Lawmakers aimed to restrict sports gambling to boost foot traffic at casinos amid declining visitor numbers and a slight 2% drop in gross gaming revenue from 2017 to 2018. This strategy yielded positive results; gross gaming revenue enjoyed an increase of 2.2% in 2018, followed by a 3.5% rise in 2019.
Republican senators and various casino owners advocate for the inclusion of online betting, citing estimates suggesting that Mississippi is losing out on approximately $25 million annually from potential sports betting taxes. However, opponents, especially from smaller casinos, argue that allowing online betting could unfairly skew the market as larger sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings would likely team up with prominent Gulf Coast establishments.
Sweeps Bill Sports Betting Casualty
In March 2025, Senate Bill 2510 was introduced by Sen. Joey Fillingane (R-Columbia) with the intention to combat unregulated online casino gambling websites that are often referred to as “sweepstakes” sites. This legislative move aimed to raise criminal penalties for running an unlicensed gaming operation from a misdemeanor to a felony.
The fight against these controversial sweepstakes is ongoing and prevalent across the United States.
Interestingly, while SB2510 experienced considerable popularity in the Senate, it faced complications during discussions in the House. An amendment proposed by Rep. Casey Eure (R-Harrison) to include online sports betting was met with substantial opposition.
Senate Gaming Committee Chair David Blount (D-Jackson) expressed reluctance to discuss online sports betting matters without a request from the Mississippi Gaming Commission, which was not forthcoming. Consequently, the committee failed to reach an agreement, effectively sealing SB2510’s fate and leaving it in limbo.
“To link bills together when the topics are not related is not how the legislature should work,” stated Blount regarding his disagreement with the attempt to merge the issues.
As a result of Blount and Eure’s impasse, the sweeps market has reason to celebrate, as they maintain their stance in legislative discussions, asserting that their services do not infringe upon state gambling laws.
The Social & Promotional Games Association (SPGA) representing platforms such as Chumba Casino, Stake, and LuckyLand Slots, argues that social sweepstakes are free-to-play, thus not requiring a purchase to participate. According to their report, these games provide a low-pressure and enjoyable entertainment experience, thereby attracting a broad consumer base.
“Unlike online casino products, social sweepstakes games include a no-purchase-necessary option. Most players participate for free, and the games offer a low-pressure, low-risk entertainment experience — one of the reasons they enjoy such broad consumer appeal,” an SPGA statement noted.
Conclusion
In summary, while the prospect of online sports betting in Mississippi has once again been postponed, the debate surrounding it highlights the complexities and competing interests within the state’s gaming industry. As both sides continue to voice their opinions, the future of sports wagering in Mississippi remains uncertain, with key stakeholders pushing for reframed regulations that could pave the way for online platforms.
