Mobile Sports Betting Bill Introduced in Mississippi

Mobile sports betting is how most money in the industry is generated. Most states have mobile betting options, so people can bet on their phones within state borders. Mississippi sports betting is attempting to expand, but this will not be easy.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was deemed unconstitutional in 2018. Mississippi quickly launched retail sports betting on August 1, 2018. This was big for the state, but it was unknown how detrimental it would be not to have mobile wagering.
Mississippi is now trying to enact mobile sports betting, but it does not look like this will be an easy task. However, the process has begun in the state as a bill was introduced on Tuesday. Therefore, only time will tell.
Mobile Sports Betting Possible in MS
On Tuesday, a mobile sports betting bill was introduced. The legislature began its next session on Tuesday, and they will have until April 3 to get a deal finalized. This seems like a lot of time, but the process can be very tedious when it comes to sports betting.
The mobile sports betting bill was introduced through House Bill 184. It was sponsored by Representative Cedric Burnett, a Democrat out of Jackson. According to the legislature’s website, the bill has already been referred to the committee stage of the legislative process.
There is a rush in Mississippi to legalize mobile sports betting as quickly as possible. Border states like Tennessee and Louisiana both have legalized mobile sports betting. This is causing Mississippi to lose money as people travel over the border to place wagers.
Louisiana’s mobile market is expected to begin in the next few weeks, in time for the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl. This should drive a lot of traffic to the state, much of which will come from Mississippi.
According to Jay McDaniel, if residents want mobile sports betting, they should reach out to lawmakers in the state. This is one way to encourage lawmakers by showing there is enough support for legal sports wagering.
He said, “To those in Mississippi who wish to have it, I would say contact your state senator or representative and let them know your thoughts.”
The Current Sports Betting Landscape
Mississippi does offer retail sports betting, which is a large part of the gambling economy. However, retail sports wagering is not great because it’s difficult for some to access casinos. There are 26 casinos in the state at on-site sportsbooks.
There are two MGM casinos on the Gulf Coast and another in the northwestern part of the state that allow people on-site to bet from a smartphone. Yet, this still does not have a lot of benefit for the sports betting handle because it’s easier to bet retail when you’re on the property.
Mobile betting accounts for at least 90 percent of the handle in states that offer mobile and retail betting. If lawmakers could work out a deal, it would be significant for the state’s revenue.