A stalemate over online sports betting in Mississippi does not look as if it is ending any time soon.
Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann outlined on social media this week why he is against the expansion of Mississippi sports betting. While the state was one of the first to launch sports betting in the U.S., it is limited to the casinos in the state. Despite legislative efforts in most sessions since 2018, online betting is still not available in the Magnolia State.
“Mobile sports betting wouldn’t create a single job for Mississippians and comes with a social cost that is of increasing concern,” Hosemann wrote. “The Senate should continue to reject this harmful legislation.”
Hosemann rails against online sports betting
Hoseman said mobile betting could lead to a rise in suicide attempts and addictive behaviors.
“Online mobile sports betting increases the risk of gambling-related harm and addiction compared with traditional in-person betting (roughly 1 in 5 people with problem gambler disorder attempt suicide),” Hosemann wrote. “Our young adults are particularly susceptible and can receive push notifications to bet on their phones 24/7.”
He also said expanding online would be detrimental to the state’s brick-and-mortar industry. Hosemann also wondered if the increased tax revenue would offset new social and economic costs.
House keeps pushing the issue
House Speaker Jason White has worked to legalize online sportsbooks since he took over the speakership in 2024.
This year, Rep. Casey Eure sponsored two bills that made it through the House. It was the third-straight year a bill made it through the lower chamber. A familiar foe, Sen. David Blount, killed the effort in the Senate Gaming Committee.
Eure’s bills required online sportsbooks to partner with local casinos. It also created a $6 million fund for casinos that lost revenue because of the online expansion. The fund was a piece Eure hoped would help sway opponents who feared in-person casino cannibalization.
One of the bills also dropped the casino tax rate to 6% from 8%. Eure also proposed sending money to the under-funded Public Employees Retirement System.
Senate opposes online MS sports betting
Blount has been steadfast in his opposition to online sports betting.
The Senate also killed two online sports betting bills in 2025. Blount said the expansion does not meet the state’s goals for gambling, including encouraging investment to create jobs and increase tourism.
Blount has also said he would not consider legislation for online sportsbooks unless the Mississippi Gaming Commission asks for the expansion.
