- Rep. Cedric Burnett (D-9) introduced a new Mississippi online sports betting bill
- The Magnolia State currently has legal in-person online sports betting at licensed casinos
- An online sports betting bill was approved in the House in 2024, but died in a conference committee
Mississippi lawmakers are once again going to consider the legalization of expanded online sports betting for the 2025 session.
Rep. Cedric Burnett (D-9) introduced HB 682 this week, which would allow each Mississippi casino to apply for an online sports betting license and potentially partner with up to one sports betting company.
Online sports betting is technically legal in the state, but is only allowed to be offered on licensed casino property.
Another Year, Another Online Sports Betting Bill
Burnett’s bill, if approved, would allow each of the 26 licensed Mississippi casinos to offer online sports betting through a “digital platform” off property. Online sports betting is currently allowed for users as long as they are physically present on casino property.
Casinos would be able to offer their own online sports betting platforms or partner with an established online sports betting company to offer their services.
The legislation would allow sports bets on collegiate, amateur or professional sporting events, and also specifically including e-sports competitions. There is no prohibition on placing bets on in-state colleges or universities in the bill.
The bill includes a tiered tax system for gross sports betting revenues:
- 4% of gross revenue not surpassing $50,000 per month
- 6% of gross revenue that surpasses $50,000, but does not surpass $134,000 per month
- 8% of gross revenue that surpasses $134,000 per month
Mississippi lawmakers are going to again take a stab at expanding the state’s online sports betting market. Last year, Rep. Casey Eure’s (HB 774) Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act died a quiet death late in session, as a House and Senate conference committee could not find a compromise to keep the bill alive.
His bill proposed expanding Mississippi online sports betting from just casino property to throughout the state and included a unique tiered tax system to fund improvements for roads and bridges.
Eure’s bill was approved by the House by a 97-14 vote in February 2024, but was not supported by the Senate. The legislation was eventually approved by the Senate, but stripped of all sports betting language. The House did not concur with the changes made to the bill and agreed to a conference committee to see if any common ground could be found to approve the bill.
Neither chamber could agree on a compromise, and the bill stalled out near the end of the state’s session.
Geolocation Data Supports Online Sports Betting Interest
Interest in expanded Mississippi online sports betting is high, according to data from geolocation company GeoComply.
According to data collected during the NFL season from Sept. 5, 2024, through Jan. 5, 2025, Mississippi currently has more than 212,000 online sports betting accounts in the state. Compared with the same time period last year, the state experienced a 77.4% increase in online sports betting accounts.
The company also noted nearly 10 million geolocation checks across the four month span of Mississippi residents attempting to access legal online sportsbooks in neighboring states. The attempts were all blocked by GeoComply.
Mississippi lawmakers are once again revisiting the topic of online sports betting legislation, as the state looks to capitalize on the growing popularity of sports betting across the country.
In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down a federal law that had banned sports betting in most states, opening the door for individual states to legalize and regulate the industry. Mississippi was one of the first states to do so, legalizing sports betting in 2018 at its casinos. However, online sports betting was not included in the initial legislation.
Now, lawmakers in Mississippi are considering expanding the state’s sports betting laws to include online and mobile wagering. Proponents of online sports betting argue that it would increase revenue for the state and provide a more convenient option for consumers who may not be able to visit a physical casino.
Opponents of online sports betting have raised concerns about potential addiction issues and the impact on traditional brick-and-mortar casinos. However, many states that have legalized online sports betting have seen success in regulating the industry and implementing responsible gambling measures.
If Mississippi were to legalize online sports betting, it would join a growing number of states that have embraced the industry. According to the American Gaming Association, 21 states and Washington D.C. have legalized sports betting in some form, with several more considering legislation.
As lawmakers in Mississippi continue to debate the issue, it remains to be seen whether online sports betting will become a reality in the state. However, with the potential for increased revenue and consumer convenience, many believe that it is only a matter of time before online sports betting is legalized in Mississippi.
