Lawmakers Weigh Mississippi Mobile Betting in 2026

Mississippi lawmakers are once again weighing whether to expand sports betting beyond casino floors and allow online sportsbetting through mobile platforms, setting the stage for a renewed debate during the 2026 legislative session.

The issue has gained fresh momentum after repeated attempts to advance it in the state Senate have stalled over the past two years. Supporters argue that mobile sports betting would modernise Mississippi’s gaming framework while keeping physical casinos at the centre of the market.

Mobile Sports Betting Back on the Legislative Agenda

State Rep. Kevin Felsher has identified mobile sports betting as a key policy priority for the upcoming session. The approach under consideration would allow online wagering while preserving the role of Mississippi’s brick-and-mortar casinos through a tethered licensing model.

Under this structure, mobile sportsbooks would be required to partner with existing casino operators, similar to systems used in states such as New Jersey. Lawmakers backing the idea say this would protect local casino investments while expanding legal access to sports betting statewide.

Mississippi legalized sports betting in 2018, but limited wagering to in-person bets placed at licensed casino properties. Since then, the House has repeatedly passed bills to expand betting online, only for those efforts to falter in the Senate.

Studies Highlight Existing Demand

As lawmakers revisit the issue, recent research underscores the scale of sports betting already taking place outside the regulated system. A University of Mississippi study found that close to 40% of college students reported gambling within the past year, with sports betting ranking among the most common activities.

The findings suggest that demand for online wagering already exists, often through offshore online gambling platforms that operate beyond state oversight. Supporters of regulation argue that a regulated market would shift this activity into a controlled environment with consumer protections.

Regulation Seen as Alternative to Offshore Gambling

Mississippi regulators have increasingly focused on enforcement against unlicensed gambling platforms. In recent years, the state has issued cease-and-desist orders to offshore sportsbooks and sweepstakes sites accused of targeting residents without authorization.

Officials have warned that these platforms often appear legitimate but lack safeguards such as age verification, responsible gambling tools, and protections for player funds. Lawmakers favouring mobile betting say regulation would reduce reliance on offshore sites while giving the state greater oversight of gambling activity already occurring.

A regulated market would also allow the state to monitor betting trends, enforce compliance, and fund responsible gambling education and treatment programs.

Senate Resistance Remains a Key Hurdle

Despite growing support in the House, the Senate remains the primary obstacle. In 2024, senators removed mobile sports betting provisions from House-passed legislation, citing concerns about the impact on smaller casino operators.

Industry observers note that independent casinos hold considerable influence in the Senate, where there is concern that online betting could favour larger national brands. Previous proposals attempted to address this by limiting the number of online partners per casino and creating funds to offset potential losses.

The chair of the Senate Gaming Committee has indicated that any legislation would likely need backing from the Mississippi Gaming Commission before advancing.

Budget Pressures Add New Dimension

Supporters of mobile sports betting argue that expanding the market could generate new tax revenue at a time when the state faces long-term financial pressures. Lawmakers have pointed to underfunded public systems, including retirement obligations, as potential beneficiaries of new wagering revenue.

With 2026 also shaping up as an election year for many legislators, political considerations could further complicate the path forward. However, proponents believe rising budget demands may push the issue higher on the agenda.

What Comes Next

The upcoming legislative session will determine whether Mississippi moves toward statewide mobile sports betting or remains limited to in-person wagering. Key steps include bill introductions, committee hearings, and negotiations over licensing rules, tax rates, and consumer protections.

If lawmakers reach a compromise, Mississippi could join a growing number of states that allow both retail and mobile sports betting under a regulated framework. For now, the debate remains unresolved, but momentum suggests the issue is far from settled.