A proposed mobile sports betting bill could bring online wagering to Mississippi as early as July 2021.
State Senator Scott DeLano introduced Senate Bill 2396 Monday, which contains language that would amend Mississippi’s current sports betting laws to include online wagering. Retail sports betting was legalized in the state in August 2018.
DeLano’s proposed measure seeks to expand the current sports betting laws to “legalize online betting, gaming and wagering on sporting events, athletic events and events authorized by the Mississippi Gaming Commission under certain conditions; and for related purposes.”
The bill doesn’t include specifics on tax rates, licensing fees, or the number of online licenses allotted. It does outline a structure that allows each awarded license to operate one online sports betting platform.
July 1 Target Date For Online Sports Betting
The bill would go into effect on July 1, 2021, if approved. The road to approval would include passing through the state House and Senate before getting the final green light from Governor Tate Reeves.
The introduction of SB 2396 marks the third consecutive year an online sports betting bill has been proposed in Mississippi. State Rep. Cedric Burnett introduced measures similar to SB 2396 in both 2019 and 2020, but neither bill made it to a vote in the House.
Mississippi hosts 36 land-based casinos, most of which offer retail sports betting on-property. Companies like FanDuel, DraftKings, and William Hill already operate land-based sportsbooks in the state.
With sports betting biggest brands already operating in Mississippi, The Magnolia State looks like a prime market for an expansion into online sports betting.
According to figures from the Mississippi Gaming Commission, Mississippi’s retail sportsbooks took $55.3 million in wagering handle for December 2020, producing $7.76 million in taxable revenue. Sports betting revenue in Mississippi is taxed at 12% (8% to the state and 4% to local government).
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