Is Sports Betting Legal in Mississippi?
Mississippi was among the early states to legalize sports betting, approving retail wagering shortly after the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018.
As of 2025, mobile betting remains heavily restricted. While casino-based apps are permitted, they can only be used when physically on-site at a licensed casino—meaning there is no true statewide or at-home mobile access. In most other legal U.S. markets, the majority of wagers are placed via mobile sportsbooks, so this limitation has hindered Mississippi’s sports betting growth compared to more permissive states.
The lack of full mobile access has also fueled the use of offshore sportsbooks, which accept wagers outside the United States. Many of these platforms market themselves as “Mississippi mobile betting apps,” but they operate without state oversight and are often illegal in multiple jurisdictions. Despite these risks, they continue to attract players seeking the convenience of remote wagering.
Top 5 Mississippi Online Betting Sites
Mississippi residents take their sports seriously, from the SEC powerhouses like Ole Miss and Mississippi State to deep NFL loyalties. But while sports betting has been legal in the state since 2018, Mississippi law only allows in-person mobile betting at licensed casinos. That means there’s no statewide mobile access, and for most bettors, the experience is far from ideal.
That’s why many Mississippi players turn to offshore sportsbooks. They’re fully accessible online, offer better odds, more betting markets, and let you bet from anywhere, not just inside a casino.
Here are the top five sportsbooks we recommend for Mississippi bettors:
Bovada
Bovada remains the most popular sportsbook among Mississippi bettors, even years after local legalization. With a massive userbase, clean interface, and reliable crypto support, it’s a go-to option for serious and casual players alike.
Bonus: 50% up to $250
BetOnline
BetOnline consistently posts odds early — often before any U.S. competitor. It’s ideal for value hunters and sharp bettors who want the best available lines.
Bonus: 50% up to $250
SportsBetting.ag
A favorite for long-term value, SportsBetting.ag offers not just a strong welcome bonus but a 25% lifetime reload bonus on every qualifying deposit.
Bonus: 50% up to $250
MyBookie
Perfect for Bitcoin bettors, MyBookie lets you claim the welcome bonus up to three times if you deposit with Bitcoin — a huge plus for crypto-savvy users.
Bonus: 50% up to $1,000
XBet
XBet’s mobile-optimized site makes it effortless to bet on the go. There’s no need to download an app — just add a shortcut to your homescreen and you’re ready.
Bonus: 50% up to $500
Legal Sportsbooks in Mississippi
Sports betting has been legal in Mississippi since 2018, but with one big limitation: online betting is only allowed when you’re physically on-site at a licensed casino. That means there are no statewide mobile sportsbooks available. The table below shows the sportsbooks that can be used to place bets from within licensed premises.
| Sportsbook | Available in Mississippi |
| FanDuel | ❌ |
| DraftKings | ❌ |
| Caesars | ✅ |
| BetRivers | ❌ |
| BetMGM | ✅ |
| PointsBet | ❌ |
| Unibet | ❌ |
Due to these limitations, we find offshore sportsbooks to be the best and most convenient way to bet online in Mississippi in 2025.
Mississippi Quick Facts
Here’s a quick snapshot of everything you need to know about sports betting in Mississippi. Since legalizing it in 2018, the state has embraced in-person betting at licensed casinos — but statewide mobile betting is still not allowed. From age restrictions to where and how you can place a wager, this overview highlights the key facts Mississippi bettors should know.
| State | Mississippi |
| Sports Betting Law Passed | Yes ✔️ |
| Launch Date | August 1st 2018 |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 ✔️ |
| Online Sports Betting | No ❌ |
| Mobile Sports Betting | No ❌ |
| Retail Sportsbooks | Yes ✔️ |
| Tribal Casinos | Yes ✔️ |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes ✔️ |
| Online Casinos | No ❌ |
| Horse Racing | Yes ✔️ |
| Dog Racing | No ❌ |
| Esports Betting | No ❌ |
Mississippi’s Betting Bottleneck – Legal, But Stuck in the Past
As of 2025, Mississippi remains one of the few sports betting states without true statewide mobile access. An early adopter, the state launched legal wagering in 2018 but chose a restrictive model: online bets are only allowed while physically on-site at a licensed casino. For most bettors, that keeps the experience firmly rooted in the old in-person model — far less convenient than the fully mobile systems available in many other states.
The Offshore Advantage for Mississippi Players
Because Mississippi lacks true statewide mobile access, more and more bettors are turning to offshore sportsbooks. These platforms aren’t just accessible from anywhere — they also offer wider betting markets, more flexible payment methods, and faster withdrawals. In a state where mobile freedom is restricted, offshore books are unlocking the full betting experience.
Why Offshore Sportsbooks Outperform Mississippi’s Options
Here’s what Mississippi bettors get with the offshore sportsbooks we recommend:
- Bet Anywhere, Anytime – No need to be inside a casino. Bet from home, work, or on the go — no geolocation restrictions.
- Broader Markets – From political events to in-state college games, offshore sportsbooks offer action on markets legal sportsbooks avoid.
- Bigger Bonuses & Better Odds – Offshore platforms often outshine Mississippi’s legal books in value thanks to lower operational costs.
- No Clunky Registration – Skip the in-person sign-up or ID verification steps — offshore sites make onboarding fast and simple.
- Crypto-Friendly Options – Deposit with Bitcoin or Ethereum and cash out the same day, often with higher limits and zero banking delays.
Where Mississippi’s Legal Sportsbooks Fall Short
Even though betting is legal, Mississippi’s system still includes outdated and inconvenient restrictions:
- No Statewide Mobile Betting – You must be physically present at a casino to bet online.
- Limited Wagering Options – In-state college betting, political outcomes, and niche markets are often off-limits.
- No Remote Registration – You can’t create or fund an online account from home — everything runs through in-person casino systems.
- Fewer Payment Options – Crypto and modern e-wallets are typically unsupported, slowing down withdrawals and limiting flexibility.
Who Can Bet Legally in Mississippi?
If you’re betting through a licensed Mississippi casino, these are the rules:
- Minimum Age: 21 years old
- Location Requirement: You must be inside a licensed Mississippi casino for online wagers
- Residency: You don’t need to live in the state — tourists can bet while visiting
- Prohibited Individuals: Athletes, coaches, referees, and those on exclusion lists cannot participate
Final Take: Offshore Sportsbooks = Real Betting Freedom
Mississippi got a head start in legalizing sports betting, but its casino-based mobile model is holding bettors back. Offshore sportsbooks fill that gap by offering full mobile access, faster payouts, and more ways to play — all without forcing you to step inside a casino. For true convenience and better value, they remain the top choice for serious Mississippi bettors.
Mississippi Sports Betting – Recent Updates
- November 11, 2025 — Mississippi lawmakers confirmed they will revisit mobile sports betting expansion in the 2026 session, with early drafts proposing a hybrid model that would require online operators to partner with existing casinos. Industry analysts say this structure could finally break the stalemate between coastal casino operators and mobile-first advocates.
- May 14, 2025 — Efforts to legalize statewide mobile sports betting in Mississippi failed again after Senate leaders declined to advance House-backed proposals, leaving the state’s in-person casino and on-site mobile model unchanged.
- February 8, 2024 — The sports betting bill HB 774 advanced from the House to the Senate with a 97-14 vote.
- February 1, 2024 — Rep. Casey Eure introduced sports betting bill HB 774 on January 29 and advanced it out of the House Gaming Committee the following day.
- January 16, 2024 — Mississippi Rep. Casey Eure reportedly plans to introduce sports betting legislation during the 2024 session. The legislative session began on January 2.
Retail Betting in Mississippi
Retail betting appeals to some players for its social atmosphere, but most bettors prefer the convenience of wagering from home. This demand is one of the main reasons offshore betting remains active in Mississippi.
Lawmakers have discussed adding online gambling to the state’s sports betting framework, but so far, no proposals have gained real traction. There’s still hope that statewide mobile betting will eventually be authorized, which many see as essential for Mississippi to fully compete with other regulated markets.
Mississippi was an early mover in legal sports betting, but its roots go back further. In 2014, the House Gaming Committee created the Internet Gaming Taskforce, sparking legislative conversations about sports wagering. Those talks remained largely theoretical until 2018, when the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Signed in 1992, PASPA had banned sports betting in most of the country, with Nevada and a few others grandfathered in — leaving 46 states without legal wagering options for decades.
Legal Outlook of Sports Betting in Mississippi
It appeared that sports betting would be legalized in the United States beginning in the second decade of 2000. States thought it was unfair that sports betting was illegal, but Nevada had a monopoly over the industry.
New Jersey headlined the fight through the American legal system. It was unknown when sports wagering would be legalized, but it became evident that the country was moving in this direction.
Mississippi did not want to waste any time. Therefore, the legislature continued to discuss sports wagering before it was allowed on the federal level. In 2017, Mississippi legalized daily fantasy sports betting through H 697.
This bill was titled the Fantasy Contest Act, and it removed provisions in the 1972 Gaming Control Act. The language of the 1972 bill included, “No wagering shall be allowed on the outcome of any athletic event, nor on any matter to be determined during an athletic event, which does not take place on the premises.”
How the Fantasy Contest Act Changed Everything
The Fantasy Contest Act overturned this portion of the bill. By removing this line, the stage was set for sports betting in Mississippi. One year later, sports betting became a reality in Mississippi.
The Fantasy Contest Act was the bill that regulated sports betting. There was never a formal bill after PASPA that legalized sports betting in the state. PASPA was repealed in the summer of 2018.
In the hours after the decision, the Mississippi Gaming Commission released a draft of sports betting regulations in the state. The rules were reviewed for 30 days before the final draft was released, and licensed gaming operators were able to undergo the application process.
BetMGM was the first operator to go live in the state in a retail format. Many other sportsbooks have entered the state, including William Hill, IGT, Foundation Gaming, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, BetAmerica, Caesars, MBC, FanDuel, and DraftKings.
The only mobile betting that’s allowed in the state must occur on casino grounds. The operators in the state are some of the most respected in the iGaming industry. If MS legalized online gambling, the revenue would soar in the state.
The latest mobile sports betting bill that showed promised was introduced in January of 2020. Representative Cedric Burnett sponsored HB 172, which would have allowed all of Mississippi’s casinos to adapt one mobile betting skin.
MS was only going to tax online betting revenue by 6%. This rate would have been amongst the lowest tax percentages in the nation. Sportsbooks would have given a lot of money to gain licensure with a 6% tax rate.
Nevertheless, gambling in Mississippi has come a long way since the first wager in the state was accepted on August 1, 2018. The Mississippi Gaming Commission is the governing body over sports wagering in the state. To place a wager in the state, you must be 21 years of age.
Five Reasons to Bet on Sports in Mississippi
There are many reasons to bet on sports in Mississippi. The state has mastered retail wagering, so you will have a superior experience in the state. Here are the top five reasons to bet on sports in Mississippi.
Great Bonuses
Even without statewide online wagering, sportsbooks in Mississippi still offer welcome bonuses and betting promotions. Operators like DraftKings and FanDuel provide generous rewards to new players, while other licensed oddsmakers in the state also run competitive offers.
For players who stick with a single sportsbook, loyalty can pay off through ongoing free bet opportunities and exclusive promotions.
Outside the regulated market, brands such as BetUS, Bovada, and MyBookie remain popular for their year-round bonuses aimed at both new and returning customers — though these offshore platforms operate without state oversight.
No Online Issues
Mobile sports betting and technical issues are common. You will not have this issue in Mississippi because all wagers must occur in a retail format. If your phone quits in the middle of a mobile bet, a sportsbook cannot solve the issue.
If you place a bet at a retail sportsbook in Mississippi, you will not have to worry about technical issues. The sportsbook and casino staff will be present to handle all issues.

Retail Sportsbooks
It can be inconvenient to travel to a retail sportsbook to place a wager. However, it can also make for a phenomenal betting experience. Some of the sportsbooks in Mississippi provide a first-class wagering experience.
These locations include restaurants, bars, luxury seating, and tons of televisions so you can watch every game at once. This viewing experience is not replicable at home.
The camaraderie of betting with fellow gamblers is terrific. There are nights when you just want to place a wager on your own. However, do not look past retail betting because it can be exhilarating depending on the sportsbook.
Fast Payouts
You are not going to find quicker payouts than retail sports betting in Mississippi. When you place online wagers, there is a transaction period which delays you receiving your money. It can take three to five days, depending on the sportsbook, to receive your winnings.
In Mississippi, payouts are instant because you are placing them in person. It’s the same process for payouts as winning at the casino. All you must do is take your winning slip to the cashier, and they will give you your payout.
If you want to place a wager in the morning for a night game and watch at your home, the casino can send you your winnings. This process will be delayed, but there are many ways to receive a quick payout for Mississippi sports wagering.
Customer Support
The casinos in Mississippi are great at handling customer service problems. Casinos would not be in business if they were not sensational at dealing with their players. This mentality has transferred to retail sportsbooks.
The casino staff is always willing to help with customer service inside sportsbooks. It’s unlikely that you will have an issue, but if you do, it will be solved.
List of Casinos in Mississippi
Here is a list of the active casinos in Mississippi as of 2025:
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Ameristar Casino Vicksburg
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Bally’s Vicksburg
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Beau Rivage Biloxi
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Bok Homa Casino
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Boomtown Biloxi
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1st Jackpot Casino Tunica
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Gold Strike Casino Resort
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Golden Moon Casino (Pearl River Resort)
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Golden Nugget Biloxi
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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi
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Harlow’s Casino
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Harrah’s Gulf Coast
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Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast
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Hollywood Casino Tunica
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Horseshoe Casino Tunica
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IP Casino Resort Spa
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Island View Casino
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Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lula
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Magnolia Bluffs Casino
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Palace Casino Biloxi
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Riverwalk Casino and Hotel
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Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall (Tunica)
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Scarlet Pearl Casino
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Silver Slipper Casino
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Silver Star Casino (Pearl River Resort)
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Treasure Bay Casino
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Trop Casino Greenville
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WaterView Casino & Hotel
Mississippi Sports Betting Timeline
2025
Mobile Betting Push Fails Again
2024
House Advances HB 774, but Senate Opposition Stalls Progress
2023
Mississippi Progresses in Sports Betting
2018
Mississippi Begins Licensing Sportsbooks
Mere hours after the Supreme Court made it possible, Mississippi legalized sports betting. August 1, 2018 saw the opening of the first sportsbooks licensed by Mississippi.
2017
Mississippi sets the floor for sports betting
With barely a peep, Mississippi must have seen the writing on the wall. they quietly removed the state’s prohibition on regulating sports betting. This was done even before federal law would allow them to open up local sportsbooks.
Responsible Gaming in Mississippi
Mississippi addresses gambling addiction through education, intervention, and self-exclusion programs:
- Mississippi Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling (MCPCG): The state affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling, MCPCG offers crisis intervention, education, and referrals to help those struggling with gambling addiction.
- Mississippi Gaming Commission: Oversees a self-exclusion program enabling individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from all Mississippi casinos, providing an additional layer of support for responsible gambling.
These resources ensure that Mississippians have access to the help and tools they need to manage or overcome gambling-related challenges.
Betting in Mississippi FAQs
Find answers to common questions bettors like you have when researching which sportsbook to join.
Yes. Sports betting has been legal in Mississippi since August 1, 2018, but statewide mobile wagering is still not allowed legally. Bets can only be placed in person at licensed casinos or through casino-based apps while physically on-site.
No. Mississippi only allows mobile sports betting when you are physically inside a licensed casino using that casino’s app. There is no universal, statewide mobile betting that lets you legally wager from home or anywhere else in the state.
You must be 21 years of age to place a bet in Mississippi.
You can bet on sports at the water and land-based casinos in the state. Beau Rivage and Gold Strike were the first two casinos to accept wagers in the state.
Many people also place wagers at offshore sportsbooks given the above restrictions.
The Mississippi Gaming Commission has been given the power to oversee sports betting in the state.
William Hill, FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM are four of the main companies that operate in Mississippi.
In terms of offshore sportsbooks, Bovada, BetOnline and Sports Betting are three of our favorites in 2025.

Best Betting Sites 