Mississippi state Rep. Cedric Burnett recently introduced House Bill 184, which would amend the Mississippi Code to allow online and mobile sports betting via a licensed casino’s own online platform or by partnering with a vendor. Currently, sports wagers only can be placed in person at a casino.
The bill has been referred to the House Gaming Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.
Mississippi was one of the first states to legalize sports betting, in August 2018. But this is the fourth attempt to legalize sports wagering online. In 2019, Burnett introduced House Bill 1481, which died in committee. He sponsored House Bill 172 in 2020; it also failed to pass out of committee. In 2020, state Senator Scott DeLane’s measure also died in committee without a hearing.
The issue has taken on greater urgency this year since Louisiana allowed sports betting at casinos in November and online betting is set to launch later this month. Supporters of the proposed legislation said bettors are likely to cross the state line and establish accounts in Louisiana.
The legislative session began January 4 and will conclude April 3. calendar in Mississippi that kicked off Monday concludes on April 3. Burnett’s measure states, “This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.”
Online sports betting revenue would be taxed at the same rate as other gambling in the state, at 4 percent for gross revenue up to $50,000 per month, 6 percent for totals between $50,000 and $134,000 and 8 percent for higher gaming revenue.
