This fall, Mississippi is expected to launch sports betting exclusively at its 28 casinos. Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association Executive Director Larry Gregory said, “We’ve got gaming. This is just another type of gaming” on a gaming floor. “The bottom line is that the Mississippi Gaming Control Act specifically says any type of gaming in the state has to be conducted on the gaming floor.”
Of course, Gregory noted, sports betting limitations could change but the 3-member Mississippi Gaming Commission will base the new sports betting regulations on current law.
Lawmakers added sports betting to a gambling measure last year, in anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court lifting the federal ban. Not being “behind the eight ball” puts Mississippi “in a position to move forward on it,” Gregory said. “The regulatory folks are building their regulatory framework.”
Gregory noted the bottom line regarding sports betting is, “We want more visitors. The gaming industry had 22 million visitors last year. We want to drive visitation. Offering something a little additional will help. That is what this is about.”
He said the casinos plan to make their sports book venues destinations, not simply a quick stop to place a bet. “I’ve gone to Vegas to those sports book places. It’s a fun time. It’s a festive activity,” Gregory said.
Mississippi Gaming Commission Executive Director Allen Godfrey pointed out Mississippi is the only Southern state with a sports betting law in place, but that could change if Louisiana and Florida move quickly to pass sports betting measures. Godfrey said Mississippi could debut sports betting this fall, in time for professional and collegiate football. “It can be done in a timely manner,” he said.
Godfrey noted in Nevada sports gambling accounts for 4 percent of gaming revenue. In Mississippi, that 4 percent would represent about $80 million in revenue for the industry. “Even if you just get $12 million from the sports betting tax, you get additional revenues from sales taxes from hotels and restaurants,” Godfrey said.
Mississippi taxes 12 percent of casino earnings from wagering, with 8 percent going into the state and 4 percent to local governments. Last year earnings totaled $2.1 billion, according to Mississippi Gaming Commission data.
