Bill to Expand Sports Betting in Mississippi is Introduced
In a significant development for sports betting in Mississippi, Democratic Representative Cedric Burnett has introduced House Bill 682. This is another attempt to modernize the state’s sports betting framework. The proposed legislation aims to expand sports betting from retail betting to also include online sports betting.
The demand for online sports betting has been increasing steadily over the past years. The best pay per head sportsbook has been taking in more bookies than ever, with people wanting to earn more from the lucrative industry.
Bill to Expand Sports Betting in Mississippi is Introduced
The bill’s tax structure represents a notably business-friendly approach, proposing an 8% tax rate on gross gaming revenue exceeding $134,000 per month. Lower rates will apply to revenue beneath this threshold. This positioning would make Mississippi one of the more operator-friendly markets in the United States. Especially when compared to the existing retail betting tax rates of 11-12% currently in place at casinos. If you keep track of the latest gaming news, you will see updates on states that continue to find the best tax rates to maximize their revenue potential.
Its worth noting that in the expansion in the legislation, there are provisions for fantasy sports contests. This builds upon existing regulations to incorporate collegiate athlete performance betting. This represents a significant broadening of betting options for Mississippi residents who are currently limited to professional sports in fantasy contexts.
The timing of the bill’s implementation, should it pass, is set for July 1, 2025. But the path to passage remains uncertain given recent legislative history. The bill has been directed to the House Gaming Committee for detailed review and consideration.
The Struggle for Gaming Expansion in Mississippi
This latest effort follows a pattern of attempts on sports betting expansion in Mississippi, with previous initiatives facing significant challenges. In 2024, several similar proposals, including one of Burnett’s own bills, failed to advance through the legislative process. Perhaps most notably, House Bill 774, which garnered bipartisan support with seven co-sponsors and successfully passed both legislative chambers, ultimately stalled after a reconsideration motion. That bill had proposed a 12% tax rate on adjusted gross revenue.
The political landscape surrounding online sports betting in Mississippi reveals interesting dynamics among key stakeholders. Senate Gaming Committee Chairman David Blount recently indicated he would only introduce online sports betting legislation at the explicit request of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. However, MGC Executive Director Jay McDaniel states that the commission has no plans to make such a request, maintaining its historical stance on the issue.
McDaniel’s perspective on the current situation is particularly revealing. He acknowledges the reality that online betting already exists within Mississippi’s borders, albeit in an unregulated form that proves challenging to control. His pragmatic view suggests that legalization could at least capture tax revenue from activity that is already occurring. This is a perfectly logical statement that the legislature should take note of. States should be keen to monetize gambling products as more and more products launch each year. For instance, if you take a look at these gambling software reviews, you will see just how many gambling products the state can earn tax revenue from.
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