Mobile sports betting isn’t legal in the Magnolia State. Only MS land-based and water-based casinos can offer sports betting.

Retail brick-and-mortar sportsbooks can provide on-site mobile wagering. You can’t leave a casino’s property when using such apps, though.

In summary, Mississippi sports betting is technically legal when you’re at a Mississippi casino. However, it’s not online gambling in the traditional sense where you can place bets anywhere in the state.

When will Mississippi Legalize Online Sports Betting?

Since 2019, politicians have made several attempts to regulate online sports betting in Mississippi. However, none of these bills made it out of the Senate Gaming Commission.

Lawmakers and operators can’t agree on mobile sports gambling.

The following bills went to the Senate Gaming Commission in 2020:

  • House Bill 172
  • House Bill 941
  • House Bill 959
  • Senate Bill 2613
  • Senate Bill 2614

These pieces of legislation represent more failed attempts at regulating betting. They do, however, show lawmakers’ level of commitment towards the matter.

Based on the continued legislative efforts, we predict that Mississippi online sports betting will be legal in either 2021 or 2022.

MS Casinos with Sports Betting

Gold Strike (Tunica) and Beau Rivage (Biloxi) opened the state’s first retail sportsbooks on August 1, 2018. Since then, a total of 23 bookmakers have opened across Mississippi.

The following retail sportsbooks are available throughout the state:

  • 1st Jackpot Casino Tunica
  • Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg
  • Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
  • Boomtown Casino Biloxi
  • Fitz Tunica Casino & Hotel
  • Gold Strike Tunica
  • Golden Nugget Biloxi
  • Hard Rock Casino Biloxi
  • Harlow’s Casino Resort & Spa
  • Harrah’s Gulf Coast
  • Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast
  • Hollywood Casino Tunica
  • IP Casino Resort Spa Biloxi
  • Island View Casino Resort
  • Isle of Capri Casino
  • Magnolia Bluffs Casino
  • Palace Casino
  • Riverwalk Casino Hotel
  • Sam’s Town Tunica
  • Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort
  • Silver Slipper Casino
  • Treasure Bay Casino and Hotel
  • WaterView Casino and Hotel

How would Mississippi Betting Apps Work?

MS retail sportsbooks can offer on-site mobile betting apps. However, statewide online sports gambling remains illegal.

If politicians do legalize mobile sportsbooks, MS betting apps are sure to be similar to what’s available in other markets. Most online bookmakers in other states offer Android and iOS apps.

The process for obtaining each app differs slightly from the next. Apple and Google Play feature different policies on real-money gambling apps.

You’d download a Mississippi Android betting app as follows:

  1. Visit an internet sportsbook’s homepage.
  2. Look for the Android icon and select it.
  3. Follow the instructions to obtain the app.

You’d download a Mississippi iOS betting app as follows:

  1. Visit the App Store.
  2. Search for the relevant MS online bookmaker.
  3. Download the app straight from the App Store.

Mobile Instant Betting

Some betting sites don’t offer a mobile app for either Android or (more likely) iOS users. In this case, they provide instant mobile sports gambling.

Instant betting refers to placing all of your wagers through a browser. It’s a suitable alternative to downloading and betting with apps.

Registering for an Account

Regardless of whether you’re using an app or instant betting, you need to register for an account. Mississippi mobile sportsbooks would certainly require the same information as any other regulated market.

This basic info includes your name, email, phone number, mailing address, DOB, and Social Security number.

Legal bookmakers use your Social Security number to verify that you’re of age and not on a gambling self-exclusion list.

After filling out the fields, you must agree to the betting site’s terms and conditions. Approval should come instantly once you submit the account information.

Mississippi Online Bets

The Mississippi online betting industry would likely offer several types of wagers. Everything from simple moneylines to more complicated round robins could be available.

Moneyline

A moneyline is a straight bet on which team will win a game. It handicaps the favorite and underdog to help evenly distribute action on both sites.

Here’s an example:

  • Dallas Cowboys +155 (betting $100 to win $155)
  • Carolina Panthers -125 (betting $125 to win $100)

Spread

A point spread assigns points to each side of a wager. You choose the team that you think can best cover its spread.

Here’s an example:

  • New York Knicks +9.5 (-110) - Knicks must lose by nine points or fewer for a winning bet.
  • Miami Heat -9.5 (-110) - Heat must win by ten points or more for a successful wager.

Totals

Totals (a.k.a. over/under) feature a combined point total for two opponents. You wager on whether the teams will score over or under the point total.

Here’s an example:

  • Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Over 51.5 (-110) - You need the Bengals and Steelers to score 52 points or more.
  • Under 51.5 (-110) - You need Cincinnati and Pittsburgh to score 51 points or fewer.

Live Betting

Bookmakers feature additional bets after a game starts. These live wagers give you an opportunity to get more action throughout a match.

Here’s an example:

  • The Baltimore Orioles are leading the Tampa Bay Rays by three runs.
  • An online sportsbook offers the following line:
    • Baltimore Orioles +2.5
    • Tampa Bay -2.5

Prop bets

A proposition (prop) bet deals with outcomes that aren’t tied to the game score. For example, a sportsbook could offer a prop bet on which basketball player will score the most points in a game.

Parlay

Parlays call on you to select multiple outcomes. Every outcome you choose must win for you to win the bet.

Given that parlays are tough to win, these bets offer you large payouts. Here’s an example:

  • 4-team parlay
  • Payout for winning is 11:1.
  • Your picks are:
    • New York Giants +6.5
    • Celtics vs. 76ers - Over 208.5
    • Kentucky vs. Clemson (basketball) - Under 147.5
    • New England Patriots -9.5

Teaser

Like parlays, a teaser involves selecting multiple outcomes. The difference is that the odds “tease” in your favor.

However, you can’t win as much as with a parlay due to the more favorable odds. Here’s an example:

  • 6.5-point teaser with three teams.
  • Payout for winning is 1.6:1.
  • Your picks are:
    • Florida State -10.5 = Florida State -4
    • Kansas State vs. Texas Tech, Over 63.5 = Over 57
    • San Diego Chargers +3.5 = San Diego Chargers +10

Round Robin

A round robin creates two-team parlay combinations out of anywhere between three and eight teams. Every team appears in one parlay with the others—hence the term round robin.

Here’s an example:

  • 3-team round robin.
  • The three teams/outcomes are: Celtics +5.5; Bulls +3.5; LA Clippers -7.5
  • The parlays are:
    • Celtics +5.5 and Bulls +3.5 (pays 2.6:1)
    • Bulls +3.5 and LA Clippers -7.5 (pays 2.6:1)
    • LA Clippers -7.5 and Celtics +5.5 (pays 2.6:1)

Prospective Mississippi Online Sports Betting Markets

The Magnolia State would undoubtedly feature the same robust selection of online betting markets as other states. MS betting sites would likely cover:

  • Auto racing (Formula One & NASCAR)
  • Baseball (MLB)
  • Basketball (NBA & NCAA)
  • Bowling
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • Darts
  • Football (NFL & NCAA)
  • Golf (PGA)
  • Hockey (NHL)
  • Mixed martial arts (UFC & Bellator)
  • Olympics
  • Rugby
  • Sailing
  • Soccer (Premier League & MLS)
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball

Mississippi doesn’t feature any professional sports teams. However, it borders Memphis (north) and New Orleans (southern tip).

You’d be able to wager on nearby New Orleans pro teams (Saints, Pelicans) and the Memphis Grizzlies.

MS retail sportsbooks allow college sports betting. Therefore, you could also wager on University of Mississippi athletics and other local schools.

Would Mississippi Allow Online eSports Betting?

Esports betting remains controversial in many states. After all, some esports pros are under the age of 18.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission hasn’t approved esports gambling for retail sportsbooks yet. We doubt that it will make this determination when online betting rolls out.

Depositing at MS Betting Sites

Mississippi betting sites would probably offer the same deposit options as other states. Common banking methods available in other sports gambling markets include:

  • Visa, Mastercard - You could instantly fund an MS sportsbook account with credit cards.
  • PayPal, Skrill - These e-wallets let you transfer deposit funds electronically.
  • E-check - Transfer funds to a betting site by using your bank account and routing number.
  • 7-Eleven - A service called PayNearMe lets you deposit at 7-Elevens with cash.
  • Prepaid card - Bookmakers issue prepaid cards that serve as deposit methods.
  • Cash - Visit a Mississippi land-based casino and deposit with cash.

Mississippi Sports Betting Bonuses

If the Magnolia State approves online sports betting, it would assuredly feature some combination of the following offers:

  • Risk-free bet - The betting site lets you earn back losses from an unsuccessful first wager.
  • No-deposit bonus - You receive a small bonus upon completing registration.
  • Match-deposit bonus - The online sportsbook matches your initial deposit up to a given amount.
  • Odds boost - A sportsbook reduces its vig (juice) for a specific wager.
  • Loyalty program - You earn rewards through these programs as you keep placing bets.

FAQ Mississippi Sports Betting

Is online sports betting legal in Mississippi?

Yes and no. The Magnolia State offers on-site mobile betting at land-based casinos. However, you can’t legally place bets once you leave a casino’s grounds.

How old must I be to bet on sports in Mississippi?

You must be at least 21 years old to place sports bets in Mississippi.

Is DraftKings legal in Mississippi?

Yes. DraftKings opened a retail sportsbook at Scarlet Pearl Casino in D'iberville.
Of course, DraftKings is best known for its online prowess. It hasn’t been able to take advantage of mobile betting yet due to the current situation in this state.

Would I need to live in Mississippi to bet on sports online?

No. If the MGC ever approves mobile betting, you will only need to be located within state lines to bet online.

Do I have to pay taxes on MS sports betting winnings?

Yes. The Magnolia State taxes gambling winnings at 3%. Of course, you’d also need to pay federal taxes, which amount to 24%.