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Many bettors wrongly believe Mississippi does NOT have legal sports betting. The Deep South is commonly seen as anti-betting, and well, Misssiissppi is the quintessential Deep South state. However, betting IS legal inside the Magnolia State, just maybe not in the way you think it is.
Mississippi has taken its own approach to betting, and in this guide, we break it all down in a simple, straightforward way. By the time you’re done reading this page, you’ll be ready to attack the local betting market, whether you’re a Mississippi native or just visiting it.
Is Sports Betting Legal In Mississippi?
Believe it or not, Mississippi beat most states to the punch with sports betting. They legalized it in August 2018 — just a few short months after the landmark Supreme Court ruling that overturned the federal ban on sports wagering. However, Mississippi didn’t open up the market to any and all operators. Nope, in the state, only the local casinos can offer sports wagering and it HAS to be done on casino grounds.
These casinos with sports betting licenses have chosen to partner with an operator to offer app betting. Here’s a list of casinos and their partners:
- Beau Rivage — BetMGM Sportsbook
- Bok Homa — Pearl River Sport
- Gold Strike — BetMGM Sportsbook
- Golden Moon — Pearl River Sports
- Harrah’s Gulf Coas — Caesars Sportsbook
- Horseshoe Casino and Hotel — Caesars Sportsbook
- Isle of Capri Casino Entertainment Resort
- Silver Star — Pearl River Sports
- Trop Casino Greenville — Caesars Sportsbook
So yes, only those three apps work in the state so long as you’re on casino premises. At-home betting is strictly prohibited in Mississippi.
International Online Sportsbooks Available In Mississippi
Mississippi has legalized sports betting, allowing residents to engage in various wagering activities. However, it’s essential for bettors to recognize the limitations imposed by state-regulated sportsbooks. In Mississippi, while you can place bets on many popular sports, state law prohibits wagers on political events and entertainment props. Additionally, there are restrictions on betting involving in-state college teams, such as the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and Mississippi State University, which can limit options for local fans eager to support their teams.
For those looking to broaden their betting experience, international sportsbooks present an appealing solution. These offshore platforms offer the flexibility to place bets on political outcomes, as well as a full range of college sports without the restrictions found in Mississippi’s regulated sportsbooks. This means that if you're interested in betting on local college games or engaging with unique events, international sportsbooks can significantly enhance your options.
Concerns about the safety and reliability of offshore betting are valid, but the international sportsbooks we recommend have been thoroughly vetted for security. Our team has extensive experience with these platforms, ensuring they provide fast payouts, fair odds, and responsive customer service. By choosing these trusted offshore operators, Mississippi bettors can confidently expand their options while ensuring the safety of their funds and personal information.
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Legal Online Sportsbooks Available In Mississippi
To reiterate, the only three betting apps that work inside the state are BetMGM, Caesars, and Pearl River. That’s it. DraftKings and FanDuel have physical sportsbooks, but no accessible app in Mississippi. So yes, options are extremely limited.
Mississippi Online Sportsbook Comparison
This is the part of the guide where we like to compare and contrast the available sportsbooks. But just being honest, that’s not really needed here. You should be squarely picking a sportsbook to bet on based on proximity to your house or job — not which app is better.
There's not enough differences between the three apps to justify driving longer distances to make a bet. Gas is not cheap, after all. Plus, the whole point of an app is to save on travel time and costs, and place bets from whenever. But when you can only use the app inside a casino, at that point, you might as well make the wager in-person.
Until Mississippi fully opens up mobile betting, we’re sticking to this opinion. So far, the state has shown zero desire to do that, however.
Mississippi Quick Facts
| Fact | Mississippi |
|---|---|
| Launch date: | 2018 |
| Legal age: | 18 Years Old |
| Online sports betting | ✅ Yes |
| Number of licenses | 3 |
| Remote registration | ❌No |
| Retail sportsbooks | ✅ Yes |
| Retail casinos | ✅ Yes |
| Online casino sites | ❌No |
| Online poker | ❌No |
| Betting on college sports | ✅ Yes |
| Betting on esports | ✅ Yes |
| State population | 3 million |
| State regulator | Mississippi Gaming Commission |
| Last verified | ✅ September 11 |
What You Can’t Bet On In Mississippi?
Yes, the need to bet in person is annoying. But once you’re within range, pretty much anything and everything can be sports betting in Mississippi. Only these few things are prohibited:
College sports player props: Many states limit college betting, especially that’s local teams. Not Mississippi though. The only thing off limits are props on individual players.
Non-sporting events: If you were hoping to bet on who’s winning the next election, which movie will grab that Oscar, or even the latest WWE plot twist, you’re out of luck in Mississippi. The betting scene here sticks to pure athletic competitions (that aren’t predetermined).
If you’re looking to bet on the above markets, offshore sportsbooks might be your go-to alternative. Operating outside U.S. regulations, these platforms are way less restrictive than anything Mississippi has to offer. The best part? They work online anywhere and everywhere. Might be worth taking a look at one to bet at.
Who Can Legally Bet in Mississippi?
Let’s quickly cover some of the big-picture rules about Mississippi’s betting scene. Here’s what to know:
Legal age: To legally bet on sports in Mississippi, you must be 21 years old — pretty standard for most states, so no surprises there.
Mobile betting: Yes, but there’s a catch. Mississippi allows mobile betting only if you're physically inside a licensed casino. So no betting from the couch or at the bar —you’ve got to head to the casino for anything.
Remote registration: Not in Mississippi. You’ll need to head to a casino in person to register for sports betting. Once you’re signed up, you can use your mobile device within the casino grounds to place bets.
Taxable winnings: Like the rest of the U.S., any big wins are subject to Uncle Sam’s cut. Mississippi also taxes gambling winnings at the state level so be ready to report those payouts!
Latest Mississippi Betting News
Oct 8, 2024 07:58 AM
Should We Expect the Push for Mississippi Sports Betting Online to Resume in 2025?
Mississippi Casinos
There are 26 commercial casinos that are all huddled along the Gulf Coast and Mississippi River. There are no tribal casinos either, which has made Mississippi a sneaky-good casino market besides the usual favorites like Nevada and Jersey.
Earlier on, we named which casinos have physical sportsbooks and take-in bets from the app while on-location. Reference that if you want to plan a casino-sportsbook double-whammy trip.
Mississippi Sports Betting Timeline
How was Missisppi so early to sports betting? Well, here's the story behind it all:
2014-2017: Mississippi Jumps the Gun
Way back in 2014, Mississippi already began studying the potential hurdles and consequences of potentially legalizing fantasy and other sports betting. The conclusion stated the benefits of sport betting, but acknowledged the federal ban as a big limitation.
In 2017, Mississippi legalized fantasy sports betting. In the same move, they removed the illegality of sports betting. They did not officially legalize it, as the federal ban was still in place, but they were clearly signaling their willingness to open up their markets.
2018 and On: Ready at the Gate
Within hours of the lifting of the federal ban on sports betting outside of Nevada, Mississippi was ready to roll! The Mississippi Gaming Commission drafted regulations and after a month of review, they went into effect.
On August 1, 2018, the first sports bets at local retailers were placed in Mississippi.
Latest Mississippi Betting News
Oct 8, 2024 07:58 AM
Should We Expect the Push for Mississippi Sports Betting Online to Resume in 2025?
Latest Mississippi Legal Betting Updates
Nov 21, 2024 09:49 AM
The sports betting bill HB 774 advances from the House to the Senate with a 97-14 vote.
A Brief Timeline of the Legality of Mississippi Sports Betting
How To Bet On Sports In Mississippi?
Mississippi may not have full-on mobile betting, but once you’re inside these casinos, the sportsbook options are plentiful. Here’s what’s hot in the Magnolia State:
How To Bet On Football In Mississippi?
We won’t need to tell you how popular football is in the Deep South, do we? College football Saturdays trump everything stateside. This is when sportsbooks are the most busy, racking up the most revenue of the entire year. The likes of BetMGM, Caesars, and Pearl River will offer the full gamut of football odds — moneyline, over/under, spread, props, and so on. Every NCAA and NFL matchup will have it.
How To Bet On Basketball In Mississippi?
Besides the Super Bowl and when Ole Miss and Mississippi compete against each other, the biggest betting event inside the state is March Madness. This three-week frenzy drives bettors in droves, especially that first weekend when all 68 teams are in the field. NBA betting is also a thing, but it pales in comparison to the NCAA Tournament — especially if one of the Mississippi schools is dancing in it.
How To Bet On Baseball In Mississippi?
Baseball may not have a local MLB team, but that doesn’t stop Mississippi bettors from diving into America’s pastime. With 162 games in the regular MLB season, there are daily opportunities to place bets. Baseball’s long season offers tons of chances to capitalize on moneyline, run line, and prop bets, making it a favorite for die-hard bettors.
How To Bet On Fighting In Mississippi?
Combat sports like UFC and boxing have fight cards almost every weekend. Casual bettors only seem to know of them if it’s a title fight or a huge attraction on the card. However, we urge Mississippi bettors to not overlook non-marquee matchups. This is often where you’ll get deep betting value — you just have to look for it.
Betting on Mississippi Teams
Mississippi has zero sports teams. Though, it does have somewhat nearby teams that locals seem to latch onto — the Grizzlies or Pelicans in the NBA, and the NFL’s Saints. But yes, pro sports allegiances are all over the place inside the state. Sportsbooks are happy to oblige by offering an assortment of odds on all the “Big 4” teams though.
Betting on Mississippi NCAA Teams
Not having a pro sports team just means Mississippi treats its collegiate teams like pro programs. Make no mistake about it, the two powerhouses are Ole Miss and Mississippi State (sorry Southern Miss, you’re not in the league yet). These two attract a frenzy, especially in college football. Both play in the vaunted SEC conference against the best of the best. Its annual matchup is called the Egg Bowl, and this is when you see things reach a fever pitch. If there’s ever a game to put money on as a bettor, it’s this one.
Mississippi Betting Revenue Statistics
While most states are experiencing year-over-year growth in sports betting handles and revenue, the state of Mississippi is not. Take July 2024 figures for instance. The regulatory board — who has the direct and accurate numbers — reported $13.9 million in revenues. This was down 27.9% from June 2024. Obviously, there’s some seasonality at play here, but here’s the more shocking number. July’s figures were down 21.4% year over year inside the state.
That’s not good, and there’s no way to spin it otherwise. It leads one to wonder, what if Mississippi had a fully mobile betting market? Would that change things? We strongly believe yes. You look at states with mobile betting, and just about none are falling year over year like Mississippi.
Other Types Of Betting In Mississippi
As restrictive as Mississippi is with sports betting, you might be surprised to learn they are less so with other forms of gambling. As we’ve mentioned, casinos are very much part of the state’s culture now. There are 29 casinos scattered across the Magnolia State, most offering a Vegas-like experience with tables games, slot machines, and poker.
These casinos also offer horse-racing betting. It’s legal inside the state, but there are no tracks anywhere in Mississippi. So all horse-race betting has to be done remotely, which takes some run out of it admittedly.
Mississippi was also early to the daily fantasy sports craze. As early as 2017, they passed the Fantasy Contest Act, which fully legalized DFS betting.
Lastly, the Mississippi Lottery is a thing. Instant scratch-off tickets or big-money draws like the Powerball are readily available. Entries can be bought at gas stations and convenience stores.
Sports Betting Rules In Each State
Looking to place some bets outside the Magnolia State? We've got your back! Just pick a state from the list below, and we’ll give you the full scoop on betting there!
Responsible Gaming in Mississippi
We’re all for sports betting. It’s such a fun way to add a thrill to the game. But there are times when that thrill becomes to overbearing. So much so that thrill is replaced with stress, anxiety, and anguish. This is when betting starts to go off the rails and towards addiction.
You don’t just suddenly become addicted though. It’s a gradual process and there are clear-cut signs long before. Look out for these flashing signs in yourself and your friends:
Chasing losses: Placing bigger bets in an attempt to recover money you’ve lost.
Betting beyond your means: Using money that should be going toward rent, groceries, or other essentials.
Constant preoccupation: Thinking about betting all the time, whether it’s planning your next wager or obsessing over past wins or losses.
Escalating risk: Raising your bet amounts just to maintain that same thrill.
If any of these behaviors hit a little too close to home, it’s time to step back. Luckily, Mississippi has resources to help you keep control of your gambling habits:
Mississippi Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling (http://www.msgambler.org/)
This organization offers education, support, and resources for those affected by gambling addiction.
Mississippi problem gambling helpline
Mississppians can reach out to a confidential 24/7 helpline at 1-888-777-9696.
Gamblers Anonymous Mississippi (http://www.gamblersanonymous.org)
A peer-led support group offering meetings across the state. Visit their site for meeting times and locations to find help near you.
National resources are also out there:
Gamble Aware (https://www.gambleaware.org/)
A non-profit organization providing resources and support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
International Center for Responsible Gaming (https://www.icrg.org/)
The International Center for Responsible Gaming (CRG) is a research institution dedicated to promoting safe gambling practices and addressing gambling-related issues.
24/7 Gambling Support Line (https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/about-the-national-problem-gambling-helpline/)
A round-the-clock helpline offering immediate assistance and guidance for those experiencing gambling-related problems.