Mississippi debates online sports betting legalization
Mississippi is expected to have a debate on legalizing online sports betting after House Bill 774’s failure to go forward in 2024.
House Bill 774, which aimed to expand sports betting beyond land-based casinos, received significant support, but due to disagreements between the House and Senate, it did not manage to go into effect.
Currently, sports betting in Mississippi is limited to retail locations, which some residents see as restrictive. As a result, many turn to unregulated online platforms. Supporters of online sports betting in Mississippi argue that legalizing it could generate millions in tax revenue.
State Senator David Bloun commented:
“The House has been outspoken in wanting to expand gaming in the state, so I don’t know what they may do. I’ll have to wait and see if there’s a Senate bill or not to consider.”
Major casino operators like MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment support the expansion, believing online sports betting would complement existing operations. The 2025 will determine whether Mississippi will join the growing list of states with legalized sports betting.