Solly Lawrenson Legal Sports Betting in Mississippi
Mississippi was one of the first states to legalize sports betting in the United States. The state passed sports wagering before the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
However, itβs important to note that there is no mobile betting allowed in the state. Throughout the legal American sports betting industry, the majority of wagers are made through mobile sportsbooks. Since Mississippi does not give people the option to utilize widespread internet betting, it has caused the industry to suffer.
Offshore sportsbooks are still prevalent in Mississippi because there is no online betting. Offshore sportsbooks accept wagers outside of the United States. They are unregulated and often illegal in numerous jurisdictions, but this has not prevented people from utilizing these platforms.
| Sportsbook | Available in Mississippi |
| FanDuel | β |
| DraftKings | β |
| Caesars | β |
| FoxBet | β |
| BetRivers | β |
| BetMGM | β |
| PointsBet | β |
| Unibet | β |
Offshore sportsbooks are not widely used in states with legal mobile wagering. Yet, states with no sports betting or limited mobile wagering options have seen offshore betting continue. It requires effort to drive to a retail sportsbook and place a bet.
Retail Betting in Mississippi
Retail betting is sometimes preferred to mobile gambling because of its social aspect. Although, many people want to bet from their homes most of the time. This is a significant reason why offshore betting has continued in MS.
There have been discussions in the legislature to include online gambling in Mississippi sports betting. None of the conversations have gained any traction, but there is hope in the future that mobile sports betting will be authorized.
Mississippi was a frontrunner for legal sports betting, but the state will not be fully immersed in the industry until mobile gambling goes into effect. Mississippiβs sports betting history goes back to 2014 when the House Gaming Committee created the Internet Gaming Taskforce.
Ideas were circulating amongst the legislature regarding sports betting. Following the 2014 legislative session, sports betting was added to the docket for future discussions. However, betting was still illegal in 46 states because of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).
PASPA was signed in 1992, and a portion of it removed sports betting in most of the country. States like Nevada were grandfathered into the bill, but PASPA left 46 states without wagering options.
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, βNo 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.β
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 thatβs 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 Mississippiβs 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
Sportsbooks still offer welcome bonuses and betting promotions even though widespread online wagering is not present in the state. The sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel offer extensive rewards to new players in Mississippi.
These two sportsbooks are the best in the state. Although, there are tons of great sportsbooks in MS with massive bonuses. You will earn numerous free bets if you play enough in Mississippi on a specific sportsbook.
BetUS is also famous for its generous welcome offers. Bovada, MyBookie and GTBets, among others, offer year-round promotions for new and existing customers.
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. Itβs 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. Itβs unlikely that you will have an issue, but if you do, it will be solved.
List of Casinos in Mississippi
- Ameristar Casino
- Bally’s Vicksburg
- Bayou Caddy’s Jubilee Casino
- Beau Rivage Biloxi
- Bok Homa Casino
- Boomtown Biloxi
- Casino Magic Biloxi
- Copa Casino
- 1st Jackpot Casino
- Fitzgeralds Casino
- Gold Strike Casino Resort
- Golden Moon Casino
- Golden Nugget Biloxi
- Grand Station Casino
- Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
- Harlow’s Casino
- Harrah’s Casino Tunica
- Harrah’s Gulf Coast
- Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast
- Hollywood Casino Tunica
- Horseshoe Casino Tunica
- IP Casino Resort Spa
- Island View Casino
- Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lula
- Isle of Capri Casino Hotel
- Magnolia Bluffs Casino
- Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant
- Palace Casino Biloxi
- President Casino Broadwater Resort
- Resorts Casino Tunica Tunica Resorts
- Riverwalk Casino and Hotel
- Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall
- Scarlet Pearl Casino
- Silver Slipper Casino
- Silver Star Casino
- Treasure Bay Casino
- Trop Casino Greenville
- Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel
- Sheraton Casino and Hotel Tunica
- WaterView Casino & Hotel
Mississippi Sports Betting Timeline
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.
