Mississippi Bill to Ban Online Casinos and Legalize Mobile Betting Fails

A Mississippi senate bill aimed at banning online sweepstakes casinos and legalizing mobile sports betting met its demise in committee on March 31. The proposed legislation, designated SB 2510, saw clear divisions among lawmakers. An earlier version, focused solely on the ban of online sweepstakes casinos, passed the senate unanimously. However, Representative Casey Eure amended the bill to include mobile sports wagering, a move intended to facilitate its progression last month. Senate gaming committee chair David Blount, adamantly opposed to the bill, indicated he would support expanding sports betting only if the Mississippi Gaming Commission initiated such a request. Last Thursday, the senate chose not to reconcile on the bill. A six-member bicameral conference committee, including Eure and Blount, was unable to find common ground. This marks the second consecutive legislative session where attempts to introduce mobile sports betting in Mississippi have faltered. In 2025, sportsbooks tied to physical casinos in the state have struggled, reporting a 28.9% decline in revenue compared to 2024, totaling $6.4 million, with handle down 3.9% at $73.1 million. Nonetheless, operators may have improved their standing in March, aided by the participation of Ole Miss and Mississippi State in the NCAA Tournament. Notably, both Ole Miss basketball teams reached the regional semifinals, a first for the men’s team since 2001, while the Mississippi State women’s team advanced to the second round, and the men’s team was eliminated in the round of 64.