Mississippi has been one of the more pro-gambling states in America and has always stepped up to legalize forms of gambling to help drive its economy. Once the Supreme Court struck down the PASPA ruling, Mississippi didn’t waste any time to legalize sports betting in the state.
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Can I bet on sports in Mississippi? Mississippi Sports Betting Legalization Mississippi Casinos Betting on Mississippi Sports Teams Top Online Sportsbook for Betting in MississippiOn August 1, 2018, Mississippi embarked on its legal sports betting journey, becoming the fourth state to follow this trend. They introduced on-site betting at physical sportsbooks and incorporated on-site mobile betting into the mix.
Regulation by the Mississippi Gaming Commission
The Mississippi Gaming Commission has been entrusted with the task of regulating and supervising the state's sports betting industry. Gambling is available both on water and at land-based casinos. Furthermore, discussions are underway regarding the potential introduction of mobile betting in Mississippi. Representative Cedric Burnett introduced House Bill 172 to legalize online sports betting and permit casinos to introduce online betting products.
Economic Boost through Mobile Betting
The infusion of revenue from mobile betting could significantly impact the state's economy. Given the financial challenges faced by many states due to the coronavirus pandemic, Mississippi is eyeing the prospect of online betting as a potential solution.
Impressive Betting Numbers
In the previous year, Mississippi made $370 million in bets, along with $44 million in operator revenues and $5 million in tax revenue. These figures could experience substantial growth if sports bettors were not restricted to visiting physical casinos for their wagers.
Daily Fantasy Sports Betting in Mississippi
Remarkably, Mississippi has chosen to permit FanDuel and DraftKings to operate within the state when it comes to Daily Fantasy sports betting.
The Current Landscape
Despite the ongoing developments in the gambling landscape, online gambling remains unapproved in the state of Mississippi. Nevertheless, land-based gambling continues to thrive, with casinos conveniently scattered across the state. The only available avenue for online betting in Mississippi remains wagering through offshore betting sites.
Can I bet on sports in Mississippi?
Yes. Sports betting became legal in Mississippi in August 2018. You have the option to visit one of the 29 authorized sportsbooks located within casinos throughout the state. All sports betting in Mississippi must be conducted in person, as no online betting services are available through state-licensed establishments.
However, for those who prefer online gambling, numerous offshore sportsbooks are accessible to Mississippi residents. These operate from outside the state's jurisdiction, which means that in case of any disputes related to your gambling activities, you may not have legal issues.
| Sportsbook | Available In Mississippi |
|---|---|
| FanDuel | ❌ |
| DraftKings | ❌ |
| Caesars | ❌ |
| FoxBet | ❌ |
| BetRivers | ❌ |
| BetMGM | ❌ |
| PointsBet | ❌ |
| UniBet | ❌ |
A Brief Timeline of the Legality of Mississippi Sports Betting
Mississippi Sports Betting Legalization
2014-2017: Mississippi Jumps the Gun
Way back in 2014, Mississippi already began studying the potential hurdles and consequences of potentially legalizing fantasy and other sports betting. The conclusion stated the benefits of sport betting, but acknowledged the federal ban as a big limitation.
In 2017, Mississippi legalized fantasy sports betting. In the same move, they removed the illegality of sports betting. They did not officially legalize it, as the federal ban was still in place, but they were clearly signaling their willingness to open up their markets.
2018 and On: Ready at the Gate
Within hours of the lifting of the federal ban on sports betting outside of Nevada, Mississippi was ready to roll! The Mississippi Gaming Commission drafted regulations and after a month of review, they went into effect.
On August 1, 2018, the first sports bets at local retailers were placed in Mississippi.
Mississippi Casinos
There are over 30 commercial casinos that are all huddled along the Gulf Coast and Mississippi River. In addition to that, there are three tribal casinos lumped in the mix. The close proximity of all the casinos to one another is similar to a heavily understated Las Vegas or Atlantic City vibe.
There are 29 legal and operational sportsbooks located in commercial casinos in the state of Mississippi:
- 1st Jackpot Casino Tunica (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Ameristar Casino Hotel (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Beau Rivage (BetMGM Sportsbook)
- Bok Homa Casino (IGT)
- Boomtown Casino Biloxi (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Fitzgerald’s Tunica (Foundation Gaming Group)
- Gold Strike Tunica (BetMGM Sportsbook)
- Golden Moon Hotel and Casino (IGT)
- Golden Nugget Biloxi
- Hard Rock Casino Biloxi (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Harlow’s Casino Resort (BetAmerica Sportsbook)
- Harrah’s Gulf Coast (Caesar’s Entertainment)
- Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Hollywood Casino Tunica (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Horseshoe Casino (Caesar’s Entertainment)
- IP Casino Biloxi (IGT)
- Island View Casino (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Isle of Capri (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Lady Luck Casino (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Magnolia Bluffs Casino (MBC Sportsbook)
- Palace Casino (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Resorts Casino Tunica (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Riverwalk Casino Hotel (BetAmerica Sportsbook)
- Sam’s Town Tunica (FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort (DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Silver Slipper Casino (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Silver Star Casino (IGT)
- Treasure Bay Casino (William Hill Sportsbook)
- Trop Casino Greenville (William Hill Sportsbook)
- WaterView Casino and Hotel (William Hill Sportsbook)
Another option if you can’t physically get to these locations is to bet on the internet at online sportsbooks.
You can sign up at an online sportsbook from your smartphone or laptop, making it easy to bet from the comfort of your own home. There are always bonuses available at the top sportsbooks that can help you double your bankroll and win more in the long run.
Betting on Mississippi Sports Teams
There aren’t really many teams to bet on in Mississippi, as they have no professional teams. They do however have some great collegiate teams that you can definitely find odds for on an online sportsbook.
The Ole Miss Rebels college football team is probably the state’s pride and joy. Ole Miss has been around for 114 seasons and has tallied 37 Bowl Game appearances, 24 of which were victories. They haven’t made it to a Bowl Game since 2015, but under new leadership from Head Coach Lane Kiffin, hopefully, things turn around.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are the other resident college football team, locals love them, but they aren’t quite as popular as the Rebels. They have 23 Bowl appearances, consistently qualifying for Bowl Games for the past decade. They are another team with a brand new Head Coach in 2020 with Mike Leach taking the reins.
Top Online Sportsbook for Betting in Mississippi
Online sportsbooks can be daunting, as some are much better than others. The top sportsbooks have great deposit options, hefty bonuses and promotions, and even loyalty programs. Also ensuring that your online sportsbook is mobile-friendly or has its own mobile app is important to look at.
Choosing the right sportsbook is as important as the bets you’ll make. We have a full list of sportsbook reviews that you can look through, and determine which one is right for you.
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