Mississippi casinos are at the center of a heated debate over the introduction of online sports betting.
Recently, the Mississippi Legislature’s Mobile Online Sports Betting Task Force met, marking a significant step forward in discussing this topic. During this meeting, several gaming industry leaders presented their views.
It was notable to note that while some local casinos expressed serious reservations, others saw this as an opportunity to expand their business and reach a wider audience.
Divided opinions
Since 2018, land-based casinos in places like Vicksburg and Greenville have exclusively offered in-person sports betting.
While this is the traditional approach, Rep. Casey Eure sees an opportunity for innovation.
He declared: “I am preparing a bill that will bring changes.” Eure, while optimistic, is realistic about the challenges he will face in getting the necessary approval.
The task force meeting ended with divided opinions. Larger casinos with more resources were cautious, perhaps concerned about logistics and regulation.
In contrast, smaller operators such as Palace Casino have been more direct in their opposition. Keith Crosby, general manager of Palace Casino said: “The entry of large online operators will threaten our market, making competition almost impossible.”
Lawmakers, for their part, have their own concerns. They are aware of the potential benefits in terms of revenue, but also the impact this could have on local operators.
In the past, several proposals related to mobile sports betting have been brought to the table but have failed to gain significant traction.
Report must be presented to Mississippi casinos by December
The task force, recognizing the complexity of the matter, committed to preparing a detailed report by December 15.
This report, which will be crucial to future deliberations, will precede the 2024 legislative session, which begins on January 2.
The report is expected to address a variety of topics, from taxation structures, licensing requirements to the possibility of taking the issue to a public referendum.
