Mississippi House Sends Mobile Betting Bill To Senate
Mississippi lawmakers have once again moved to authorize statewide mobile sports wagering, with the House of Representatives approving the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act by a 100 to 11 margin and forwarding the measure to the Senate.
The proposal would introduce online sports betting across the state under a revised tax and regulatory framework. Supporters estimate that mobile wagering could generate close to $100 million annually if enacted.
During floor debate, House Gaming Committee Chair Casey Eure outlined the financial projections, stating, “Mobile [sports betting] at 22% is projected to bring in $100 million per year.” He also addressed how tax adjustments could affect physical casinos, saying reduced rates would allow operators to “reinvest in their properties, give employees pay raises, do things they need to do to keep them up and going to stay competitive in our market.” The Greenwood Commonwealth reported that Eure later clarified reinvestment would remain optional for casino operators.
Revised Tax Structure And Pension Funding
Under the bill, mobile sports wagering would face a 22% tax rate, higher than the 18.5% currently applied to in-person sportsbooks. At the same time, the general gaming tax for brick-and-mortar casinos would decrease from 8% to 6%, resulting in an estimated $48 million annual tax reduction for casino businesses. Local gaming taxes would remain at 4%.
Lawmakers structured the tax increase on mobile betting in part to align Mississippi’s rate with broader national levels. Revenue generated from the new framework would also support public pensions. Officials anticipate that approximately $50 million per year would flow to the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) over a ten-year period.
Eure described this allocation as “free money that’s not coming out of our budget now that we’ll get off of mobile sports betting.” He pointed to performance in neighboring states as a reference point, noting that Tennessee generated $125 million in mobile sports betting revenue last year and Louisiana reported $102 million. After consultation with the Mississippi Gaming Commission, lawmakers estimated that Mississippi could approach $100 million annually under the proposed system.
This marks the third straight year that the House has approved legislation to legalize mobile sports wagering. Previous efforts did not advance through the Senate, reflecting ongoing divisions over gambling expansion.
Operational Limits And Compliance Requirements
The bill establishes defined parameters for how digital betting would operate. Each of Mississippi’s 26 casinos could partner with one online sportsbook operator, a shift from earlier drafts that permitted up to two partnerships per casino. Prospective operators must obtain manufacturer and distributor licenses from the Mississippi Gaming Commission before launching services.
The framework restricts wagering to individuals physically located within Mississippi through geofencing controls. Participants must be at least 21 years old, and operators must implement age verification measures. The legislation also requires responsible gaming programs that include automated behavior monitoring, phased intervention processes, and access to professional counseling services.
Regulators would set a statewide launch date for mobile wagering, with a statutory deadline no later than December 8, 2026.
Senate Skepticism And Industry Debate
Resistance has slowed prior mobile wagering proposals, particularly in the Senate. Senator David Blount, chair of the Senate Gaming Commission, has expressed reservations about expanding online gambling.
He has emphasized that the state’s gaming policy historically centers on broader economic objectives. “The reason we have gaming in Mississippi is to encourage investment, to create jobs and to grow tourism to bring other people from other places to Mississippi,” Blount said. He added, “Mobile sports betting doesn’t do that.”
Blount has also stated that he would not support online gambling legislation absent formal requests from the Mississippi Gaming Commission. In his view, additional revenue alone does not justify expanded gambling access.
Supporters argue that the revised tax model and partnership limits protect smaller in-state casino operators from larger national competitors while enabling adaptation to digital betting trends.
Separate Action On Illegal Online Gambling
In parallel, lawmakers advanced Senate Bill 2104 to address unauthorized online gambling. The Senate passed the measure unanimously, 52-0.
The bill amends Mississippi Code Sections 97-33-1 and 97-33-7 to explicitly cover digital gambling within existing prohibitions and reclassifies online gambling systems as illegal gaming devices. Individuals operating unlawful online betting services could face felony charges, fines up to $100,000, and prison terms of up to 10 years. Authorities would also have the power to seize assets tied to illegal operations, and prosecutors could bring cases either in the county where violations occurred or in Hinds County.
The legislation targets internet sweepstakes casinos and similar online platforms while shielding telecommunications and technology providers that merely transmit or display content without handling wagers.
Both measures must still secure Senate approval and executive sign-off before becoming law. Despite strong House backing, prior online sports betting initiatives have stalled in the Senate, leaving the outcome uncertain once again.
Source:
Mississippi Advances Mobile Sports Betting Legislation, news.worldcasinodirectory.com, February 28, 2026.