- The Mississippi House Gaming Committee kept online sports betting hopes alive with a procedural move last week
- The gaming committee inserted the House’s approved online sports betting legislation into two Senate bills that prohibit sweepstakes gaming
- The Senate Gaming Committee has not shown an appetite to take up the online sports betting bill
A procedural move by the House Gaming Committee has kept the Mississippi online sports betting bill alive ahead of the April 6 sine die deadline, but its overall chances may be on life support.
The House Gaming Committee last week inserted the language of the house approved sports betting bill, HB 1302, into a pair of Senate bills that prohibit online sweepstakes gaming to keep the legislation alive this session.
The procedural move kept the bill alive, but the Senate Gaming Committee has shown no desire to take up online sports betting this year.
Senate Blocking Online Sports Betting
According to the Sun Herald, Mississippi Senate Gaming Committee Chairman David Blount (D-29) does not support online sports betting and will not bring the measure to committee for a vote.
The House Gaming Committee inserted the approved online sports betting bill language to SB 2381 and SB 2510 to continue the conversation prior to the final day of the session on April 6.
However, without Senate support Mississippi’s chances to legalize online sports betting will fail as they did in 2024.
According to the Sun Herald, Rep. Casey Eure (R-116), the author of HB 1302, has expressed frustration at the Senate for not taking up the House approved online sports betting bill, despite making a number of changes in the bill the Senate asked for after last year’s defeat.
“This shows how serious we are about mobile sports betting,” Eure said, according to the Sun Herald. “I’ve done everything he’s asked for … I’ve done everything they’ve asked for plus some.”
Eure made significant changes to his 2025 bill to appease both Senate and Mississippi retail casino concerns.
His bill earmarks $6 million annually to a new Retail Sports Wagering Protection Fund. The fund will allow casinos who choose to not partner with an online sports betting operators to apply for a portion of revenue from the fund. The Retail Sports Wagering Protection Fund will receive $6 million annually through 2030.
Any additional revenue over the $6 million threshold will be placed in the state’s road and bridge repair fund.
His 2025 bill also increased the number of potential online sports betting partners for the state’s 26 commercial dockside and land-based casinos from one to two.
Launch No Later Than Dec. 8, 2025
The bill sets a universal launch date of no later than Dec. 8, 2025.
The bill includes a tiered tax system for adjusted sports betting revenue as follows:
- 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
Each operator will also have to pay an additional 4% in gross revenue into the road and bridge repair fund. Operators would have to pay a maximum of 12% in adjusted gross revenue to the state depending on their revenue each month.
The Mississippi Senate plays a crucial role in deciding the future of online sports betting in the state. As one of the legislative bodies responsible for passing laws and regulations, the Senate has the power to determine whether or not online sports betting will be legalized and regulated in Mississippi.
Currently, online sports betting is not legal in Mississippi, but there have been discussions and debates within the Senate about the potential benefits and drawbacks of legalizing it. Proponents of online sports betting argue that it could generate significant revenue for the state, create jobs, and provide a safe and regulated environment for sports bettors. They also point to the success of online sports betting in other states, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where it has been legalized and is thriving.
On the other hand, opponents of online sports betting raise concerns about potential negative impacts, such as increased problem gambling, underage gambling, and the potential for corruption and match-fixing in sports. They argue that legalizing online sports betting could have detrimental effects on society and outweigh any potential benefits.
The Mississippi Senate must carefully consider these arguments and weigh the potential risks and rewards of legalizing online sports betting. They must also take into account the opinions of stakeholders, including sports leagues, casinos, and the public, before making a decision.
If the Mississippi Senate decides to legalize online sports betting, they will need to pass legislation outlining regulations and licensing requirements for operators. This will ensure that online sports betting is conducted in a safe and responsible manner, with protections in place for consumers and measures to prevent problem gambling.
Ultimately, the role of the Mississippi Senate in deciding the future of online sports betting is a significant one that will have far-reaching implications for the state. It is important for lawmakers to carefully consider all aspects of this issue before making a decision that will impact both the economy and the well-being of Mississippi residents.
