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SBD Staff Writer

by SBD Staff Writer

Updated Feb 21, 2023 · 3:33 PM PST

The Magnolia State was one of the first to get on board with legalized sports betting after the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned on May 14, 2018. This allowed each state in the country to propose and create their own laws and regulations for sports betting.

Sports betting is legal in Mississippi, both in-person and mobile, however, mobile betting can only take place while physically inside a casino. So in that sense, mobile betting is still very restrictive.

Mississippi was so far ahead of the gambling curve that they passed legislation to allow for sports betting in the state just in case PASPA was overturned one day. Once it was overturned, Mississippi jumped right in with legal sports betting as of August 1, 2018.

Mississippi has many casinos in Biloxi, Tunica, and Vicksburg where both locals and tourists can bet on sports.

The gambling industry has a long history in Mississippi dating back to 1795; and the coastline was well-known for gambling. However, opposition from ministers in the 1950s, criminal activity, and the effects of Hurricane Camille crippled the industry over the next number of years.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988 and the Mississippi Gaming Control Act in 1990, saw the industry revived with casino gambling in the state, and Mississippi residents can now enjoy one of 29 casinos.

Where to Bet on Sports in Mississippi?

Take your pick when looking for a place to make your sports wager. Mississippi currently has 23 sportsbooks running at one of their many casinos throughout the state. Most are located along the Gulf Coast and Mississippi River, except for Pearl River Resort, a tribal casino in central Mississippi.

The most recent betting platform to launch in Mississippi was BetMGM. They went live on September 23, 2021 at the Gold Strike Casino in Tunica, and bettors will have to visit this location to wager with the BetMGM sportsbook. Their mobile betting app will also be available at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, MS in the near future. Bettors can register from anywhere, but must place their bets in person at one of the eligible casinos. Otherwise, new users will not be allowed to verify their accounts or place wagers outside of these casinos.

For now, Mississippi sports bettors are still mostly limited to betting on sports in-person at a licensed casino. Still, they can make online bets when physically present at one of those locations. The next step would be to allow state-wide mobile betting, something that has been proposed in a revived House bill, HB 172 by Mississippi Representative Cedric Burnett. Monthly handles for Mississippi can also be tracked via our MS sports betting revenue page.

Mississippi Sports Betting FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Mississippi?

There are currently 23 locations in Mississippi where legal sports betting is being offered. Mississippi residents are also allowed to cross state lines to take part in legal Tennessee online sports betting.

Can you bet on sports in Biloxi?

Yes, Biloxi, Mississippi, has casinos where you can bet on sports.

Does Mississippi have a pro sports team?

The state does not have a city big enough to warrant a major pro team calling Mississippi home. Still, the University of Mississippi’s Ole Miss college football team is the most popular Mississippi team.

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