Mississippi – Legal Sports Betting

Updated on February 16, 2020

Mississippi offers both commercial and tribal locations for sports betting. Tribal casinos do not fall under the umbrella of the state’s gaming board, the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

Sports Betting in Mississippi – background

Legalized sports betting for Mississippi trailed shortly behind Delaware and New Jersey. Although they may have been only the third state to join in the gaming trend, the state set itself apart from the others by becoming the first state outside of Nevada to allow bets on in-state colleges along with professional teams.

Making state history, on August 1, 2018, the Beau Rivage Casino and Resort and Gold Strike Casino Resort took the state’s first sports bets. Following a few short weeks later, 20 of the Mississippi’s commercial casinos were offering sports betting. Two casinos also opened their own sportsbooks.

Legal Sports Betting apps in Mississippi

Currently, the state of Mississippi’s laws limit gambling to gamblers physically present in a licensed casino. Sports betting is permitted electronically, but only if conducted on-site. For now, no mobile or online wagering can take place outside the grounds of a casino.

During the state’s 2019 legislative session, Sen. Willie Simmons introduced the Gaming Control Act. The bill would have legalized mobile sports betting apps which could be used anywhere in the state. However, other MS lawmakers were not ready to expand the state’s sports betting operations quite yet and the bill died in committee on February 5, 2019.

A similar bill was introduced in January of 2020 when MS HB 172 was brought by Rep. Cedric Burnett in the state House. It is currently still in committee but has a chance to be passed into law before the session ends.

Fortunately for Mississippi’s sports wagering enthusiasts, there are a plethora of casinos to choose from.

Mississippi Sportsbooks

Mississippi casinos offering an opportunity to place sports bets include:

Tribal Casinos

• Bok Homa Casino
• Pearl River Resort
• Golden Moon Hotel & Casino at Pearl River Resort
• Silver Star Casino

Mississippi Sports Betting FAQs

Who is in charge of Mississippi Sports Betting?

The Mississippi Gaming Commission regulates and oversees the sports betting industry within Mississippi’s borders. 

Why won’t my sports betting app work outside of a casino?

According to the current Mississippi sports betting laws, mobile sports wagering apps are limited to be used only on-premise and within state-licensed sportsbooks. The apps that certain MS sportsbooks offer are geo-fenced and will detect when you left the premises, cutting off your ability to put action on their odds. 

Can I apply to offer sports betting in Mississippi?

Only current gaming license holders can apply to the Mississippi Gaming Commission to open a sportsbook. Unless you are the owner and/or operator of one of these casinos, you cannot apply to offer sports betting in MS. 

Can I bet on Ole Miss or Mississippi State at a local sportsbook?

Not only can you bet on Mississippi collegiate teams, but you can bet on any college team you like at a MS sportsbook. Lawmakers in the state knew how popular college football and other NCAA sports are in the region and made sure not to put any restrictions on those bet types.