Mississippi Introduces Bills to Expand Online Sports Betting

Mississippi, a state that legalized sports betting in 2018, is making another attempt to expand its sports betting market by introducing two bills aimed at allowing online sports betting. House Bill 271, filed by Representative Cedric Burnett, and House Bill 635, introduced by Representative Jay McKnight, seek to broaden the scope of sports betting in the state.

Currently, Mississippi only offers online sports betting through geofenced sportsbooks on land-based casino properties. These new bills aim to change that by permitting mobile sports wagering statewide. This marks the sixth attempt to introduce online sports betting in Mississippi, with the last attempt being House Bill 606, which established a sports betting task force in the state.

Originally, House Bill 606 aimed to allow all of Mississippi's land-based casinos to partner with online sportsbooks, but its scope was significantly reduced in committee. Mississippi's sports betting market has faced challenges recently, with a decline in both handle and revenue in December 2023 compared to the previous year. The introduction of online sports betting could revitalize the market and provide a much-needed boost to the state's economy.

Despite its neighboring states legalizing online sports betting, Mississippi has lagged behind. With these new bills on the table, the state is making another push to expand its sports betting industry and offer more options to its residents and visitors.