Mississippi Creates Task Force to Study Online Sports Betting

Mississippi was among the early adopters of legalizing sports betting, yet there remains a significant gap in the state’s sports wagering options.

At present, sports betting is only permitted at Mississippi’s casinos, including mobile bets that are restricted to the casino premises using geofencing technology.

Mississippi sports betting does not offer mobile wagering, a feature that accounts for over 90% of the betting volume in the most successful legal sports betting states in America.

Lately, there have been indications that Mississippi state lawmakers are prepared to move forward with their legal sports betting initiative. Governor Tate Reeves has approved House Bill 606, which establishes a task force to explore and potentially implement a broader mobile sports betting system for residents of Mississippi.

The skinny on House Bill 606

The aim of Bill 606 is evident: to accomplish what the initial Mississippi sports betting laws could not achieve.

The task force was established to provide widespread and convenient sports betting options for individuals over the age of 21 who want to place bets on sports within state borders and from the convenience of their own residences.

The task force will consist of thirteen members, with eleven appointed individuals. The task force is expected to begin their work within the next month. The co-chairs of the task force will be the gaming chairs of the Mississippi House and Senate. The remaining eleven members will all have interests in the gambling industry in Mississippi.

Their primary responsibility is to conduct a thorough analysis of all aspects pertaining to online sports betting, as well as to assess the advantages and risks associated with the expansion of sports betting.

The timeline is quite generous, with members having until December 15 to deliver their report to both governing bodies and the public. Some believe that the task force may not need all that time to complete their research and create a comprehensive report on the issue.

Keeping up with the neighbors

Sports betting is gaining traction in the South at a slower pace compared to other regions in the U.S., but recent developments have pushed states like Mississippi to adapt and embrace the trend.

In Mississippi, on-site casino sports betting has been happening, but neighboring states are either launching or discussing launching comprehensive sports betting platforms, including mobile options, as early as this year.

Tennessee was once the only neighboring state to Mississippi with a successful legal sports betting platform. However, in the past year, Louisiana and Arkansas have also adopted their own sports betting platforms, while Georgia and Alabama are currently in talks to legalize their own comprehensive legal sports betting systems.

Will the task force have the desired effect

Some believe that HB 606 is simply a necessary step for the Mississippi legal sports betting industry. With legal wagering already being practiced in the state, it seems only natural for the platform to evolve in this way.

Since legalizing retail wagering, lawmakers in Mississippi have been presented with arguments for expanding mobile sports betting every year. Just last year, four separate bills were introduced on the matter.

Mobile sports betting at one of Mississippi’s 26 land-based casinos is nearing reality, although it is unlikely to be implemented in 2023 due to the extended timeline provided to the task force that has yet to be finalized.

While it may not happen until next year, the Mississippi legal sports betting industry is showing promising signs of growth. Mobile sports betting is on the horizon for Mississippi, although it may take some time to fully implement.