As the Mississippi legislative session unfolds, Representative Kevin Felsher expresses optimism that this year may finally see the state approve online sports betting. Speaking to WLOX, Felsher noted that revenue from online sports betting could be vital for funding the Public Employees' Retirement System, which is currently only 55% funded. "I’m hopeful this year could be the year that we get a sensible mobile sports betting programme that protects the integrity of our brick-and-mortars," he stated.
Last year, the Mississippi House passed two bills aimed at legalizing online sports betting, but both failed to gain traction in the Senate. Mississippi became one of the earliest states to approve sports betting back in 2018, allowing it only at physical casinos.
The question arises: is the expansion of online sports betting in Mississippi a feasible option? With sports betting already established in many parts of the United States, further expansion in various states presents challenges. States like Alabama, Georgia, and Minnesota face significant obstacles that complicate the legislative process.
Brandt Iden, vice president of government affairs at Fanatics Betting & Gaming, highlighted the difficulties faced by states attempting to expand sports betting. "The states that remain, they are difficult. A number of political hurdles exist—tribes, commercial casinos, and other issues that need to be overcome, making it more difficult," he explained.
2026 is set to be an election year, which Iden believes will introduce additional challenges regarding sports betting legislation. However, he noted that states looking to expand sports betting could gain some momentum, including Delaware's push beyond lottery-based offerings and Mississippi's ongoing efforts for online sports betting. States may see such expansions as an opportunity to boost tax revenue.
Iden acknowledged that while there are numerous obstacles, a bill has been advanced out of the House in the past two years. "There’s an issue in the Senate, but there’s lots of discussion, and lawmakers are aware of the issue," he remarked.
Efforts toward online sports betting in Mississippi have seen previous attempts. The 2023 Legislature established the Mobile Online Sports Betting Task Force. Nonetheless, the Senate has repeatedly presented barriers; in 2024, legislators removed sports betting language from a House proposal that would have permitted the state’s 26 casinos to launch online sportsbooks.
Industry insiders suggest that independent casinos wield considerable influence in the Senate, fearing competition from larger online operators. A bill that was passed by the House last year with an impressive 88-10 vote proposed allowing casinos to partner with two online platforms and included a 12% tax on their sports betting income. Representative Casey Eure has been a strong advocate for this issue in past sessions, striving to address the concerns of smaller casinos by introducing measures such as a fund to mitigate potential losses.
However, Eure’s bill was not considered in the Senate last year, prompting the House to amend several Senate bills to incorporate sports betting language. One of these amendments targeted a gambling bill that sought to ban online sweepstakes. Ultimately, the Senate rejected that proposal due to the changes.
Senator David Blount, chairman of the Senate Gaming Committee, has expressed his unwillingness to file an online sports betting bill unless there is a request from the Mississippi Gaming Commission. He has voiced concerns regarding the impact on physical casinos. "Of course, any Senate member can file a bill on that topic if he or she wants to, and then we'll look at it," Blount stated last year. "The House has been outspoken in wanting to expand gaming in the state, so I don’t know what the House may do, but I’ll have to wait and see if there’s a Senate bill or not to consider."
