One of the only states still limited to in-person sports betting, Mississippi, will once again try to open the market up to online operators as well.
Legislation to legalize Mississippi online sports betting is nothing new, with repeated attempts failing to pass and keeping the market within the walls of its casinos.
The latest attempt, HB 519 from Rep. Jay McKnight, would give each Mississippi casino operator an online sports betting license. A bill to ban sweepstakes casinos, SB 2104 from Sen. Joey Fillingane, returns this year after failing in 2025 as well.
Should either bill pass, it would be effective on July 1. Mississippi’s legislative session runs through April 5.
Mississippi online sports betting details
A bill to legalize online sports betting passed the House in 2025 for the second straight year, but HB 1302 did not receive a vote in the Senate.
This year’s legislation does not include the two licenses per casino like last year’s attempt, nor does it raise the taxes for online betting.
Online sports betting would be taxed at the same scaled rates as in-person betting:
- 4% tax on gross revenue for sportsbooks with $50,000 or less in monthly revenue
- 6% tax on gross revenue for operators that have monthly revenue between $50,000 and $134,000
- 8% tax on gross revenue for operators with more than $134,000 in monthly revenue.
Trying again on sweeps ban
Sen. Fillingane is trying to ban sweepstakes casinos in Mississippi for the second straight year. The bill was killed last year by trying to add online sports betting legalization in the House.
SB 2104 makes it a felony with a fine up to $100,000 for operating a sweepstakes casino in Mississippi.
The fact that the ban failed last year did not stop gaming regulators from taking action. The Mississippi Gaming Commission issued multiple cease-and-desist orders to sweepstakes operators last year.
