Gambling Laws in Mississippi

Gambling laws in Mississippi have been lenient compared to other states in the Deep South. The Magnolia State was one of the first to legalize sports betting at retail locations and a bill is now moving through government to also introduce online sports betting. If this is successful, we may also see other forms of gambling become legal in MS.

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Online Sports Betting Laws in Mississippi

Attitudes to betting in Mississippi have always been favorable due to the state’s many riverboat casinos. Therefore, it was unsurprising when the government stuck up for sports betting after a national conversation about the legality of it emerged, and began to make changes to its laws. Mississippi removed a key line from their Gaming Control Act when introducing daily fantasy sports in 2017 – “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.”

With this gone, gambling laws in Mississippi were poised to change if the federal government legalized sports betting. In 2018, the Supreme Court overruled the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act and placed control of sports betting back in the hands of the states. The Mississippi Gaming Commission released regulations in draft form about sports betting and they passed into law after a 30-day review.

Players placed the first legal sports bets in Mississippi on August 1, 2018. If you are 21+, you can now enjoy sports betting at one of the 23 casinos that also offer it in the Magnolia State. The state currently only permits online gambling inside those establishments, but this might change

State Senators Scott DeLano and Juan Barnett have sponsored SB2613 and SB2614 respectively. If either of these bills passes into law, it will enable sportsbooks to apply for gaming licenses that will allow them to offer their products over the internet. They have now gone to the Senate Gaming Committee for review. Keep up to date with their progress on this page.

The History of Casinos in Mississippi

Gambling in Mississippi is synonymous with riverboat casinos. It has taken place along the Gulf Coast since before the state even existed. Casino clubs were hotspots throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and many famous faces frequented them over the years. In 1990, the Mississippi Gaming Control Act introduced formal regulations, with the first riverboat casino arriving in the state in 1992. Following the devastation of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina to coastal towns, the state made further changes to allow the casinos to rebuild a minimum of 800ft away from the shore.

With so many casinos throughout Mississippi, online gambling is a topic that the state has frequently discussed. There are currently no bills filed that might legalize online casinos, with the state currently prohibiting their use. No casinos can offer their games within the state and the government has no plans to introduce licenses that would regulate online play.

As with many other states, some players think they can get around this by playing at offshore casinos. Legalbetting will never recommend this as we feel that the best place to play will always be an online casino that the state government has vetted and regulated. Overseas casinos might appear to be legitimate but there is no guarantee that they are secure. For now, players need to wait for some changes to the gambling laws in Mississippi if they want to play online. There is no shortage of brick-and-mortar locations to head to if you want to play casino games.

If the gambling regulations in Mississippi change, you will be able to follow their progress here.

Is Online Poker Legal in Mississippi?

As with casino games in Mississippi, the state also heavily restricts online poker. Players can head to one of the brick-and-mortar or riverboat casinos if they want to play some cards.

Mississippi has not given any licenses to poker sites to allow them to legally operate in the state. Overseas sites offer online gambling and claim to allow American players, however, there are no ways to verify that these are safe to play at. They could easily steal your winnings and a player in this situation would have no regulating body to turn to for help. For now, it is safer to keep poker games reserved for the live rooms in casinos instead.

With Mississippi’s positive attitude to gambling and new legislation for online sports betting on the move, the state might one day decide to regulate online poker. What’s more, new legislation allowing multijurisdictional games online in other states will no doubt prove enticing to the gaming authorities here. Enacting such a law would allow poker lovers in Mississippi to play against players in other states without having to travel. If the government introduces any new law, you will find out more details about it here.

The Top Daily Fantasy Sport Sites in Mississippi

Following the 2017 Fantasy Contest Act, the state now considers and regulates daily fantasy sports as a legal form of gambling in MS. Sign up to one of our favorite providers here.

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Hey partner, We're sorry to inform you that we don't have any deals available just now. Currently, we are vetting regulated online gambling and betting sites for every state. In a few weeks you'll find our pick of the best sites right here, so check back soon. In the meantime, you might be interested in learning more about daily fantasy sports and how to play them.

MORE ABOUT DFS

The Journey of Daily Fantasy Sports in Mississippi

Daily fantasy sports have gained significant popularity in the past few years. Many states besides Mississippi have created regulations to cover this area. In the Magnolia State, the 2017 Fantasy Contest Act dictates DFS operations. State Representative Richard Bennett introduced this as House Bill 967 in January of 2017 and then-Governor Phil Bryant signed it into law later that year.

Players can choose to play at many of the popular sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel. You must be 18+ to participate in these types of games. Mississippi does not allow DFS games using collegiate teams, despite sports bets placed on college games being perfectly legal.

The State Lottery in Mississippi

The Mississippi State Lottery is one of the newest lotteries in the USA. The state’s House of Representatives passed the Alyce G. Clarke Mississippi Act on August 28, 2018, with then-Governor Bryant signing the bill into law on August 31. The state recorded $2.5 million worth of lottery sales on its first day – November 25, 2019, and a total of $8.9 million in the first week.

Currently, players can enjoy twenty different scratch games. They can also take part in the multijurisdictional draw games Powerball and Mega Millions. You must be 21+ to buy tickets and you can purchase them from retailers all around the state. Currently, you cannot buy tickets online for the Mississippi Lottery, though you can check the winning numbers on the official website.

Other Important Information About Gambling in Mississippi

Gambling laws in Mississippi have very clear rules about taxation and licensing. Casinos currently pay a 12 % tax on revenue, with 8% going to the state and 4% to the local government. DFS operators pay $5000 for a 3-year permit that allows them to offer their games. They then pay 8% tax on net revenue

If the state introduces online sports betting, it will tax sportsbooks between 4-8% depending on how much gross revenue they take. This will likely go to similar projects as the revenue from casinos.

The government in Mississippi has big plans for the revenue earned from the new lottery. It will give $80 million in net proceeds to the State Highway Fund. It will also give any proceeds above this threshold to the state’s Education Enhancement Fund. This payment plan will be in place until June 30, 2028. From July 1, 2028, these funds will first pass through the Lottery Proceeds Fund. Based on the revenue from other state lotteries, there should be little issue meeting these targets. Hopefully, the lottery will be able to really benefit the citizens of the Magnolia State.

The Future of Gambling in Mississippi

With the new changes to sports betting leading the way in Mississippi, the state might regulate online gambling soon. The flood of regulations to the sports betting and lottery industries might prompt the government to look at online casinos and poker games soon. Residents of MS might be able to enjoy many types of online gambling in a legal and regulated way.

FAQS

Does Mississippi allow gambling?

Gambling in Mississippi has been available since before the state existed. Nowadays, you can head to a riverboat, commercial, or tribal casino to enjoy some legal gambling.

When did Mississippi legalize gambling?

Mississippi formally legalized gambling in 1990 with the Mississippi Gaming Control Act, but many forms of gambling existed in the state for years before this.

Can you bet on sports in Mississippi?

You can currently bet on sports in Mississippi at one of the 23 casinos that have sportsbooks. New regulations are currently being reviewed that could legalize online sports betting throughout the state.