The Mississippi House of Representatives approved the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act on February 1, setting the stage for a Senate vote. The House version requires mobile operators to sign deals with brick-and-mortar casinos in the state (26 in total). But bettors will be able to place wagers from anywhere in the state.
Bill sponsor Rep. Casey Eure says estimates from the state gaming commission say Mississippi could realize as much as $35 million in tax revenues from mobile sports bets each year. And it would cut into the $3 billion black market.
A tacked-on amendment changed the destination of the 12 percent tax. The original bill gave 4 percent to municipalities that host casinos and 8 percent to the state. Now all 12 percent will end up in state coffers, earmarked for emergency road and bridge repairs.
House Democrat leader Robert Johnson came up with a revenue-sharing amendment to offset the potential disparities in distribution. Smaller casinos would receive a share of the income from bets placed near their facilities. Johnson’s district includes the small Magnolia Bluffs casino, which might not be able to compete in the kind of lucrative deal that the larger Beau Rivage can, according to Pechanga.net.
“I have a responsibility to make sure that I protect the jobs and the opportunities that are available in my community,” Johnson said.
That amendment was tabled.
