Online Sports Betting Bill in Mississippi Fails, Proposal to Ban Sweepstakes Stalled as Well
Setting the Scene: Mississippi's digital gambling expansion takes a hit as S.B. 2510 falters, leaving sweepstakes casinos in the clear - for now. The bill aimed to crack down on digital gambling, but a last-minute amendment to legalize statewide online sports betting met its demise.
From Unanimous Agreement to a Heated DismissalThe Senate unanimously backed S.B. 2510 in February, with its focus on curbing online gambling, including sweepstakes casinos. But when the Mississippi House of Representatives gave the bill a facelift in March, they slotted provisions for statewide online sports betting into the mix. The Senate, however, shot down these amendments. As a result, a conference committee was formed to negotiate the discrepancies, with Monday night bringing the bitter pill – S.B. 2510's demise.
Mississippi's Virtual Gambling ConundrumWith S.B. 2510 off the table, the wait for legalizing online sports betting extends to at least 2026. The failed bill spares sweepstakes casinos from an immediate statutory ban. Even though regulators can take action against sweepstakes operators, lawmakers are holding off on imposing criminal penalties or a statewide ban.
Resistance to Mobile BettingThe reluctance towards online sports betting stems from concerns about denting Mississippi's land-based casino industry, which currently accommodates legal sports betting at 29 sportsbooks within casinos but shuns mobile wagering beyond physical casino premises. Some lawmakers fear that mobile betting's widespread availability could dig a hole in in-person gambling revenue.
The Road AheadThe legislature is on track to adjourn on April 6, leaving online sports betting and sweepstakes casino regulation hanging in the balance. Until new legislation gains ground, betting enthusiasts in Mississippi must stick to in-person wagering at licensed brick-and-mortar casinos.
- Despite the unanimous support for S.B. 2510 in February to curb online gambling, the inclusion of statewide online sports betting in the bill's March amendments was met with resistance by the Senate, leading to its eventual demise and leaving the issue unresolved.
- The Mirax corporation, operating sweepstakes casinos in Mississippi, breathes a sigh of relief as the failure of S.B. 2510 spares them from an immediate statutory ban on their operations.
- As gambling trends continue to evolve, the focus on sports betting remains a contentious issue in Mississippi, with concerns raised about its potential impact on the state's existing land-based casino-and-gambling industry.
- With S.B. 2510's failure, the future of online sports betting in Mississippi continues to be uncertain, forcing sports enthusiasts to resort to in-person wagering at licensed brick-and-mortar casinos until new legislation emerges to address this unresolved issue.
