After efforts failed in May, lawmakers in Mississippi are as soon as once more seeking to legalize cell and on-line sports activities betting with a brand new legislative session getting underway.
Rep. Cedric Burnett (D) filed House Bill 682 final week to permit these within the state to make wagers from their cell phones and computer systems. The state already permits betting at casinos and the usage of cell apps to wager on sports activities whereas at these properties, however has but to permit cell wagering from wherever else within the state.
Details On The Plan
Under the plan, sports activities betting would nonetheless be taxed no increased than 8%. The invoice would permit for the state’s casinos to use for a license to supply on-line betting and accomplice with one cell wagering firm every.
An analogous invoice received broad approval within the House final yr however didn’t obtain a vote within the Senate. Several neighboring states have additionally legalized on-line sports activities betting in recent times together with Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana, maybe placing added strain on Mississippi officers to maintain up.
There are some indicators that the difficulty could have some bipartisan help. Last yr the thought acquired backers from each events and was handed by each homes of the legislature. However, the difficulty then died throughout rehearing.
However, there may be additionally some key opposition. Sen. David Blount (D), the Senate Gaming Committee Chairman, has stated he would solely help a invoice if the Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) requested one. MGC Executive Director Jay McDaniel hasn’t requested for a invoice, in response to stories.
Blount has additionally expressed reservations about what the business may carry to the state.
“The reason we have gaming in the state is for tourism, to bring new people to the state, to encourage investment in the form of hotels and amenities to grow the economy, and to support the jobs of the tens of thousands of people,” Blount advised WTNM. “Mobile sports betting doesn’t do any of that. Mobile sports betting does not drive tourism. It does not drive any economic investment in our state.”
There seems to be loads of curiosity for sports activities betting within the state. Geolocation agency Geocomply lately reported that there have been about 10 million makes an attempt by folks situated in Mississippi to entry authorized sportsbooks from Sept. 5 to Jan. 5. The website additionally famous that bettors from the state had over 200,000 active accounts throughout the identical interval, up 77% from the earlier yr.
The transfer towards legalization comes because the state’s stay on line casino business has seen a little bit of a downturn. In 2023, Mississippi’s 29 casinos totaled $2.48 billion in gross gaming income, whereas providing practically 42,000 jobs. In 2024, nevertheless, income fell barely to $2.23 billion.
