Casinos in Mississippi Face Potential Increase in Taxes Due to Resistance Against Online Sports Betting
The Mississippi House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards the digital future of gambling with the passing of House Bill 1881 on February 26, 2025. This bill, known as the "Integrity in Gaming in Support of Honest Taxpayers Act," aims to legalize online sports betting in the state.
The bill, sponsored by State Rep. John "Trey" Lamar (R-Senatobia), seeks to recoup tax money Mississippi is missing out on by not allowing online sports bets. If passed, the increase could deliver the state around $50 million annually in additional gaming funds.
However, the bill's progress doesn't end in the House. The Senate has shown robust opposition to online sportsbooks, citing potential decreases in gaming, tax, and food & beverage revenue. Smaller casinos have expressed concerns about competing in an online sports betting market dominated by market leaders like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM.
To address these concerns, Lamar proposes that if online sports betting is confined to casinos, those properties should pay more tax to cover the financial loss from limited sports betting regulations. Rep. Casey Eure (R-Harrison) is co-sponsoring the online sports betting bill and supports Lamar's legislation.
The bill would elevate the state's effective tax rate on commercial casino revenue from 12% to 16%. This would be the first time in more than a decade that a chamber of the Mississippi legislature will consider a bill to raise casino taxes.
It's worth noting that Mississippi is one of the 39 states that have legal betting on professional and college sports. However, currently, regulated sportsbooks in Mississippi can only be accessed by visiting a physical casino. The bulk of the bets in states where both in-person and online sportsbooks operate are facilitated via the internet.
A poll shows more than 60% of Mississippians support mobile sports betting. This support is reflected in the efforts of Lamar and Eure to push for the bill's passage. Eure claims his 2025 online sports betting bill addresses previous Senate concerns and has received extensive support, with more calls on the issue than on anything else in his 15-year tenure.
As of August 2025, there is no specific information about the current status of online sports betting legislation in Mississippi, including opposition in the Senate or impacts on commercial casinos. For the most current and direct data, checking the Mississippi Legislature's official site or local news updates would be the best next step.
- The "Integrity in Gaming in Support of Honest Taxpayers Act," a bill aimed at legalizing online sports betting in Mississippi, seeks to recoup tax money the state has been missing out on.
- If passed, the bill could deliver the state around $50 million annually in additional gaming funds, but the Senate has shown opposition due to potential decreases in revenue.
- To address concerns, sponsor John "Trey" Lamar proposes that online sports betting be confined to casinos, with those properties paying more tax to cover financial loss.
- The bill would elevate the state's effective tax rate on commercial casino revenue from 12% to 16%, marking the first time in over a decade that a chamber of the Mississippi legislature will consider a bill to raise casino taxes.
- Despite Senate opposition, a poll shows more than 60% of Mississippians support mobile sports betting, with Representative Casey Eure claiming his 2025 bill addresses previous concerns and has received extensive support.
