Is Mississippi Sports Betting Online Coming Soon?

Ever since The Magnolia State launched in-person wagering over a half-decade ago, many have been waiting for Mississippi sports betting online to receive the same stamp of approval.

As we near the end of 2024, these same folks are still waiting. Looking ahead to 2025, though, could the wait finally be over?

Let us make something clear right out of the gate: There is nothing happening right now that unequivocally suggests online sports betting in Mississippi will hit the fast track toward legalization. But The Magnolia State’s recent market returns may necessitate more discussion—and urgency. That is the basis for this question.

On top of that, It is not like we are considering this out of the blue. State officials discussed the legalization of Mississippi sports betting online this past spring. The proposed measure ultimately ended without enough support. But the existence of the conversation itself is important. It means that yes, we should expect the push for Mississippi sports betting online to resume in 2025.

The better question: Will next year’s attempt actually be successful?

Mississippi Sports Betting Action Declined Year-Over-Year This Summer

The Mississippi sports betting handle for July 2024 was recently released to the public. (These reports are typically announced on a two-month delay or so.) The results were not exactly encouraging.

Mississippi took in $13.9 million in total bets for the month. That is down 27.9 percent from June 2024. More critically, it is a 21.4 percent dip compared to July 2023.

Many will point out that July is typically a topsy-turvy month for sports betting in the United States. They are not wrong. It is among the barest months on the sports calendar. Betting on the NFL does not really pick up until August. The NBA and NHL are both in the early stages of their offseasons at this point. Betting on the U.S. Open (tennis) is a few weeks out from crescendoing. And, of course, betting on NCAA football doesn’t start ticking up until early August itself.

Really, in the USA specifically, Major League Baseball betting as well as betting on the WNBA are the primary draws propping up most regions. The impact is felt the most by states like Mississippi that do not have any teams in their market. Granted, they face the same limitations for pro sports. The Magnolia State has a couple of powerhouse college football programs but not any pro franchises.

But this merely reinforces the importance of a busy sports calendar. Residents are more likely to act on sports betting urges with more events on the docket. Especially because they will root for franchises in nearby markets. For instance, betting on the New Orleans Saints is a popular trend during the NFL season. Ditto for betting on the New Orleans Pelicans during the NBA season.

Can Mississippi Sports Betting Online Help Increase the Handle During Slower Months?

Still, the year-over-year decline is nevertheless troubling despite the status of the sports calendar. Remember, this isn’t a 21.4 percent dip relative to a different month. It is a downtick compared to the same barren time in the sports betting calendar from 2023.

This is where the legalization of Mississippi sports betting online can be particularly useful. It makes wagering more accessible for everyone. That is a big deal even during busier months. It is a much bigger deal during slower periods.

As of now, betting on sports in Mississippi is basically an on-site affair. Residents must visit Mississippi sportsbooks located on the casino properties.

Indeed, some of these establishments offer Mississippi online sports betting apps for customers. But the use of these applications is limited by geotracking software. Ergo, you can only access Mississippi sports betting online when on casino properties.

That can be an inconvenience for anyone who does not always want to leave the house. However, people are less likely to take exception during the peak of betting on the NFL, college football, NHL, NBA, etc. But when MLB betting and WNBA betting are (basically) the lone options? Brick-and-mortar sportsbooks are not as likely to be nearly as popular.

Mississippi sports betting online would simplify that process during all parts of the sports calendar. App users would not have to leave their house. They can place wagers while on the couch—or while running errands or attending other events. Put simply, Mississippi sports betting online can appeal to a larger audience, even if it is only by virtue of increasing accessibility for those who don’t live within close proximity to a casino.

The Outlook on Online Sports Betting in The Magnolia State Remains Fuzzy

Given all of these factors, we can almost guarantee Mississippi sports betting online will be a hot topic at the next round of legislative sessions. Whether the push to legalize it pans out is a separate matter.

Reservations abound even among those who support general Mississippi sports betting. Chief among those concerns: Cutting into market shares for tribal-run casinos, and increasing the risk of underage gambling.

If we had to guess, the latter issue looms as the bigger sticking point. Tribal-run sportsbooks in other states have managed to hash out online sports betting deals they deem favorable enough for their own business model. Casinos in Mississippi should be no different.

Underage gambling is a different beast. While the setup is perfect, in-person sports betting does limit the odds of minors partaking in illegal wagering. Limited access to sportsbooks as well as the extra barrier for entry (i.e. actual human beings checking photo IDs) makes it harder for underage customers to place wagers.

This will shift if and when Mississippi sports betting online goes live. Preventive measures will be put in place, but expanded access generally leads to increased revenue and risk.

To that end, we will not dare to predict the fate of Mississippi sports betting online in 2025. However, we do know that the state is intrigued by it. And if some of the busier sports-calendar months start seeing downticks in hand, officials may come to view Mississippi sports betting online as an industry necessity.

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can find one that works for all of your sports betting needs: