Mississippi’s legislature failed to advance SB 2510 from conference committee on 31 March, ending the proposal for statewide online sports betting and a sweepstakes-casino ban during the 2025 session. The measure had passed the Senate in February, but the House’s March amendments prompted disagreement between the chambers.
Operators will not gain the proposed statewide online sports betting framework during the 2025 session.
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Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann urged the state Senate to reject a mobile sports betting proposal, citing addiction concerns, effects on land-based casinos and uncertain economic benefits. Hosemann said the House-approved bill included a 25% tax cut for casinos and would not create new jobs. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Trey Lamar argued that residents already use illegal online betting platforms and said he expects the House effort to continue.
Mississippi sports betting handle was $25.7 million in March, down 25% year on year, reportedly. Bets for the quarter fell below $85 million.
Mississippi's Senate rejected online sports betting measures after the House approved legislation for a third consecutive year, according to the report. The proposals included casino partnerships with online operators and a tax reduction for casinos from 8% to 6%; lawmakers cited concerns about the impact on existing casinos.
Mississippi’s House passed HB4074 to legalise online sports betting, voting 100-11, while a separate Senate-backed bill to prohibit sweepstakes casinos failed in the House. HB4074 proposes a 22% tax on online sportsbooks and would allow each of the state’s 26 casinos to partner with one operator. The bill now goes to the Senate, where approval is uncertain.
Mississippi’s House approved HB1581 to legalise online sports betting by 85 votes to 31, while the Senate passed SB2104 to ban sweepstakes casinos by 51 votes to none. The bills now go to the opposite chambers, which have until 11 March to act; the sports betting proposal directs revenue towards the state pension shortfall.