Mississippi Bill to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos and Expand Sports Betting Fails to Advance

A legislative push in Mississippi to ban online sweepstakes casinos and legalize mobile sports betting has failed to gain traction, leaving the state's gambling laws unchanged for now. The stalled bill highlights ongoing debates over gambling expansion and regulatory control in the state.

Legislative Background and Proposed Changes

In February 2025, the Mississippi Senate passed Senate Bill 2510 (SB 2510), introduced by Senator Joey Fillingane. The bill aimed to crack down on illegal online gambling operations, specifically targeting online sweepstakes casinos. Under the proposed legislation, operators of unauthorized gambling platforms would face fines of up to $100,000 and prison sentences of up to ten years.

However, when the bill moved to the House, Representative Casey Eure introduced an amendment that significantly altered its scope. Eure’s amendment proposed legalizing online sports betting, allowing Mississippi’s existing retail casinos to partner with online sportsbook operators. The amendment also included a provision to impose a 12% tax on sports betting revenue, aiming to generate additional tax revenue for the state.

Political Divide and Legislative Stalemate

The addition of online sports betting to SB 2510 sparked controversy. While the House was open to expanding the bill’s scope, the Senate opposed the changes. Senator David Blount, Chair of the Senate Gaming Committee, argued that any expansion of sports betting should originate from the Mississippi Gaming Commission rather than the Legislature. The Senate refused to approve the amended bill, instead sending it to a conference committee for further negotiation.

Despite efforts to reach a compromise, lawmakers failed to finalize an agreement before the legislative deadline on March 31, 2025. As a result, the bill effectively died, leaving Mississippi’s gambling landscape unchanged.

Impact on Social Sweepstakes Casinos and Sports Betting

The list of social casinos in the US is extensive, and with SB 2510 failing to pass, these online social sweepstakes sites remain a legal option for Mississippi residents. These platforms operate under federal sweepstakes laws, offering casino-style games with virtual currencies that can be redeemed for cash prizes. The failure to ban these sites means players in Mississippi can continue accessing them without new legal restrictions.

On the other hand, efforts to legalize mobile sports betting have been postponed once again. Mississippi remains limited to in-person sports betting at brick-and-mortar casinos, despite neighboring states adopting online wagering. Industry experts estimate that legal online sports betting could generate between $40 million and $80 million in annual revenue for the state, but for now, Mississippi has chosen to maintain the status quo.

Looking Ahead

The collapse of SB 2510 underscores the challenges of passing gambling legislation in Mississippi, particularly when efforts to regulate different forms of betting are bundled together. While the bill’s failure means no immediate changes for sweepstakes casinos or mobile sports betting, lawmakers may revisit these issues in future legislative sessions. Until then, Mississippi’s gambling industry remains largely unchanged, with online sweepstakes casinos continuing to thrive and online sports betting left in limbo.