Mississippi Lawmakers Pass Online Sports Betting Once Again
HighlightsÂ
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Mississippi House members approve an online sports betting legislation bill for the third straight year.
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Sponsor Rep Casey hinted that city residents have attempted to place $ 10 million in online betting since September 2025.Â
In Mississippi, the online sports betting bill HB 1581 cleared the chamber again with an 84-31 vote. A portion of the legislation was advanced last year to the Senate as well, but died in the Senate due to gambling and cannibalization concerns.Â
Before approval, the lawmakers tweaked the bill to include a $600 million transfer from the state’s general fund to the state’s underfunded pension system. Sponsors believe that including pensions is a masterstroke to ensure the bill passes the Senate.
David Blount, chairman of the Senate Gaming Commission, has vocally opposed the legalization of online sportsbooks in the past. Even during this year, he has considered a similar bill in his committee. He stated that the expected online sports betting revenue does not justify its legalization.Â
Sponsor Rep Casey Eure told chamber members that since September 2025, Mississippi has attempted to place $10 million in online sports betting. He projects that the legislation can raise an additional $80 million in tax revenue.Â
He further added, “These are Mississippi residents crossing into other states, and the outcome of that is that Mississippi receives zero tax revenue, there’s zero oversight, zero consumer protection against these people placing bets, and problem gambling goes undetected and unmanaged”.
Due to ongoing issues in the Senate, legalizing sportsbooks will not be easy, and lawmakers are aware of this.Â
For News Story, Read Here!
Before approval, the lawmakers tweaked the bill to include a $600 million transfer from the state’s general fund to the state’s underfunded pension system. Sponsors believe that including pensions is a masterstroke to ensure the bill passes the Senate.
David Blount, chairman of the Senate Gaming Commission, has vocally opposed the legalization of online sportsbooks in the past. Even during this year, he has considered a similar bill in his committee. He stated that the expected online sports betting revenue does not justify its legalization.Â
Sponsor Rep Casey Eure told chamber members that since September 2025, Mississippi has attempted to place $10 million in online sports betting. He projects that the legislation can raise an additional $80 million in tax revenue.Â
He further added, “These are Mississippi residents crossing into other states, and the outcome of that is that Mississippi receives zero tax revenue, there’s zero oversight, zero consumer protection against these people placing bets, and problem gambling goes undetected and unmanaged”.
Due to ongoing issues in the Senate, legalizing sportsbooks will not be easy, and lawmakers are aware of this.Â
For News Story, Read Here!
