The Mississippi House of Representatives passed a bill that would legalize mobile sports betting in the state with a vote of 82-10. The bill, known as the “Mississippi Sports Wagering Act,” aims to allow people aged 21 and older to legally bet on regulated athletic events from their mobile devices. The legislation would tax revenue generated from mobile sports betting at 12%, with the majority of the proceeds going towards road and bridge repairs in all 82 Mississippi counties.
Last year’s bill allowed casinos to partner with one online sports betting platform, while this year’s version permits casinos to link with up to two platforms. The bill also includes provisions to protect existing casinos financially and ensure a geofencing structure is in place to prevent bets being made outside of Mississippi. In addition, online sports bets subsidized by credit cards would be prohibited to prevent gambling addiction.
However, concerns surrounding the bill include potential unintended consequences, such as a reduction in in-person visits to casinos and disparities between casinos in terms of prosperity. The bill includes provisions for a “Retail Sports Wagering Protection” fund to assist casinos that may incur losses due to mobile sports betting. Any remaining funds in the fund would go towards road and bridge repairs.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it may face opposition. Senate Gaming Committee chairman David Blount expressed concerns about the impact of mobile sports betting on tourism and economic investment in the state. Despite potential hurdles in the Senate, supporters of the bill believe that legalizing mobile sports betting could bring significant tax revenue and curb illegal online betting in Mississippi.
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