Sweepstakes Gaming Faces Ban in Mississippi Senate

Mississippi Senate Passes Bill Aimed at Banning Sweepstakes Gaming

By Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 17 February 2025

Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief

Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.

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Defining the Target: Sweepstakes Casinos

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Joey Fillingane (R-41), amends existing state law to include online sweepstakes games and casinos in the list of prohibited gambling activities. This includes “any online, interactive, or computerized version of any game including, but not limited to, online race books, online sports pools, and online sweepstakes casino-style games.

Increased Penalties for Operators

SB 2510 not only bans these games but also significantly increases operators’ penalties. Violations would be elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony, with potential fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years. The bill also includes provisions for the forfeiture of assets related to illegal operations.

Enforcement Challenges and the Need for Legislation

Fillingane highlighted the ineffectiveness of previous cease-and-desist letters sent by the Mississippi Gaming Commission to illegal gambling operators. He argued that this new legislation is necessary to provide stronger enforcement tools.

That is, in fact, the need for this legislation. Again, the legislation does not target people who are on their devices mistakenly playing an illegal game. We’re only targeting online operators, the people who put the platforms up, not the end user,

he explained.

National Implications and Other States Considering Action

This move by Mississippi could set a precedent for other states struggling with the issue of sweepstakes gambling. Several other states, including Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, are also considering legislation to regulate or ban these platforms.

The debate centers around whether these games constitute illegal gambling, as they often mimic online casinos and sportsbooks but operate in a legal gray area. The American Gaming Association and the Indian Gaming Association have both urged regulators to crack down on these online sweepstakes games.

Gaming Legislation Heats Up in Mississippi

This legislative session has seen considerable activity regarding gaming in Mississippi. Alongside the sweepstakes bill, lawmakers are also considering legalizing statewide online sports betting. While retail sportsbooks are already operating in the state, mobile wagering is currently restricted to on-site casino locations. The House recently passed HB 1302, which would allow online sportsbooks and racebooks to partner with brick-and-mortar casinos. This mirrors similar legislation that stalled in the Senate last year.

Conclusion

The Mississippi Senate’s decisive vote on SB 2510 represents a significant challenge to the growing online sweepstakes casino industry. If the House agrees, Mississippi will become a test case for how states can address the complex legal and regulatory issues surrounding these platforms. The outcome of this legislation will be closely watched by other states and could significantly reshape the landscape of online gaming regulation nationwide.

Whether this ban succeeds in curbing illegal online gambling remains to be seen. Still, it undoubtedly signals a growing national movement towards stricter oversight of the rapidly evolving digital gaming world.  