East Coast States Progress with Sweeps Bans Amid Mississippi’s Legislative Challenges
In a notable development, several states along the eastern seaboard are making strides toward implementing bans on online sweepstakes casinos. However, Mississippi’s recent attempt to enact legislation that would have both prohibited these online gaming platforms and sanctioned mobile sports betting has faltered in committee discussion.
A bill put forth in the Mississippi Senate, known as SB 2510, aimed to tackle the dual issues of online sweepstakes and mobile betting but ultimately met its end on the evening of March 31. Initially, a simpler iteration of the bill, focused exclusively on banning the online sweepstakes segment, secured unanimous support in the Senate. However, the narrative changed when Representative Casey Eure introduced amendments that sought to add provisions for mobile sports wagering, complicating the legislative journey.
Senator David Blount, head of the Senate gaming committee, voiced strong opposition to the expanded bill. He stated that he would only support a change to sports betting regulations if such a request was made directly by the Mississippi Gaming Commission, underlining the careful and measured approach he advocates for in expanding gaming options within the state.
Last week, the Senate faced a critical juncture, opting not to align on the bill during a key vote. A conference committee involving both practitioners of the legislature, including Eure and Blount, was unable to reach a consensus—further solidifying the complexities of gaming legislation in Mississippi.
A Recurrent Theme
This scenario marks the second consecutive year in which Mississippi’s legislators have entertained the possibility of mobile sports betting, only to turn it down. The state’s sportsbooks, which are currently limited to physical casino locations, are experiencing a slow commencement to 2025, with revenue reflective of a downturn—showing a 28.9% decrease compared to the same timeframe in 2024, culminating in $6.4 million in revenue thus far and a 3.9% fall in overall betting volume at $73.1 million.
Nonetheless, amid this legislative setback, operators appear to have rekindled some momentum in March, thanks to the participation of local teams such as Ole Miss and Mississippi State in the NCAA Tournament. The successes of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams of Ole Miss, particularly the men achieving the regional semifinals for the first time since 2001, alongside Mississippi State’s women’s team making it to the second round, may provide a boost for local betting activities.
For a comprehensive analysis of the ongoing developments surrounding this legislative issue, you can read more here.
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