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Mississippi Betting Bill Advances Laws & Regulations

Mississippi Betting Bill Advances but Major Hurdles Remain

By Lisa Spencer Senior Editor Updated: 15 April 2024

Lisa Spencer Senior Editor

As a Senior Editor at Betting.US, Lisa Spencer is a valuable member of our expert team. With a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, Lisa is adept in gambling theory and analyzing odds. She contributes by writing online sportsbook reviews and finding competitive markets to help our readers make an informed choice.

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In a surprising turn of events the Mississippi Senate Gaming Committee has advanced House Bill 774, which aims to legalize online sports betting in the state. However, the committee’s actions have left the bill looking almost nothing like it did when it was first introduced, stripping away all the online sports betting provisions previously approved by the House.

The move comes as a disappointment to supporters of online sports betting in Mississippi, who had hoped that the state would join the growing list of states embracing mobile betting, which includes neighboring states Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

Possible Compromise on the Horizon

Despite the setback, industry insiders suggest the bill’s advancement, even in its gutted form, is a positive sign. An anonymous source told PlayUSA that the bill’s survival is crucial, as it sets the stage for a potential compromise between opposing factions within the state’s gaming industry.

Senate Gaming Committee Chairman David Blount hinted at the possibility of a deal during the committee meeting, too, stating:

I’m told there are people who have been on opposite sides of this issue in the past that are talking and, as far as I know, working in good faith to try to come up with a proposal to share with us.

The proposed compromise centers around tying the fate of HB 774 to another piece of legislation, Senate Bill 2780. Introduced by Blount, SB 2780 would protect existing Mississippi casinos from additional competition by preventing new leases for gambling-related activities along the state’s Gulf Coast.

Some of the state’s smaller casinos, particularly the Island View Casino Resort in Gulfport, have been vocal opponents of online sports betting. By linking the two bills, proponents hope to gain the support of these casinos in exchange for safeguarding their market share.

The Road Ahead for HB 774

With the April 11 deadline for House bills to clear the Senate fast approaching, HB 774 will need to move quickly if it hopes to become law this year. Should the bill pass the Senate, it will likely need to return to the House for approval of any changes made by the upper chamber.

The potential compromise between the two bills offers a glimmer of hope for supporters of online sports betting in Mississippi. If successful, the deal could pave the way for the state’s casinos to partner with online sports betting operators, subject to a proposed 12 percent tax on revenue. These funds would be used for a state-wide emergency road and bridge repair fund.

As the legislative session enters its final weeks, all eyes will be on the progress of HB 774 and SB 2780. For now, the fate of online sports betting in the Magnolia State remains uncertain. However, the willingness of stakeholders to at least talk – and seek common ground – shows things may not be as bad as they first seemed. Only time will tell, now, as to whether a compromise can be reached or not – and, if so, what the details of this compromise will look like.