AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING ACT; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR THE ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT "ONLINE RACE BOOK" AND "ONLINE SPORTS POOL" BETTING SHALL BE LEGAL IN THIS STATE; TO REQUIRE A PLATFORM THAT OPERATES AN ONLINE SPORTS POOL OR ONLINE RACE BOOK TO A MANUFACTURER'S AND DISTRIBUTOR'S LICENSE; TO AUTHORIZE LICENSED GAMING ESTABLISHMENTS TO CONTRACT WITH NO MORE THAN ONE PLATFORM; TO PROVIDE THAT A PLATFORM SHALL ONLY ACCEPT WAGERS FROM PLAYERS LOCATED IN MISSISSIPPI; TO REQUIRE THE PLATFORM CONTRACT FOR GEOFENCING AND AGE VERIFICATION; TO PROHIBIT PLAY BY ANY PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21; TO IMPOSE A FEE ON THE GROSS REVENUE OF A LICENSED GAMING ESTABLISHMENT, INCLUDING A PLATFORM THAT OPERATES AN ONLINE SPORTS POOL, ONLINE RACE BOOK OR BOTH ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDER OF A GAMING LICENSE, WHICH IS DERIVED FROM THE ACTIVITIES AUTHORIZED IN THIS ACT AND TO EXEMPT SUCH GROSS REVENUE FROM CERTAIN FEES IMPOSED OR AUTHORIZED UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI GAMING CONTROL ACT AND ANY LOCAL AND PRIVATE LAW OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF PROCEEDS COLLECTED FROM SUCH FEE TO THE MISSISSIPPI HOPE SCHOLARSHIP FUND; TO AMEND SECTIONS 75-76-67 AND 97-33-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 75-76-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE LICENSED GAMING ESTABLISHMENT TO DISPLAY THE LICENSE OF THE PLATFORM IT IS CONTRACTED WITH; TO AMEND SECTION 75-76-89, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE INCLUSION OF ONLINE RACE BOOK AND SPORTS BOOK FOR GAMING LICENSING OUTSIDE OF A PREMISES; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 75-76-91, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REQUIRES THE LICENSED GAMING ESTABLISHMENT TO DISPLAY THE LICENSE OF THE PLATFORM IT IS CONTRACTED WITH, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 75-76-203, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES AN EXCEPTION FOR AN OFFICE IN THIS STATE FOR PLATFORMS, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 75-76-33, 75-76-55, 75-76-101, 75-76-205 AND 75-76-211, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REGULATE CORPORATE GAMING ESTABLISHMENTS, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 75-76-175, 75-76-177 AND 97-33-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT INSTRUMENTS AND GAMING LICENSE FEES; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 97-33-8 AND 97-33-305, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REGULATE GAMING ESTABLISHMENTS, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 75-76-79 AND 97-33-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO DOCKSIDE GAMING; TO AMEND SECTIONS 97-33-1 AND 97-33-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO RESTRICT CERTAIN TYPES OF WAGERS; TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FUND TO BE OPERATED BY THE IHL OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID TO RECEIVE AND DISBURSE THE PROCEEDS OF THE MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING LICENSURE FEES; TO CREATE THE "MOBILE SPORTS WAGERING TAX FUND" AND PROVIDE FOR ITS DISTRIBUTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
The enactment of SB 2249 will significantly alter gaming regulations in Mississippi by providing a legal pathway for mobile sports wagering, which has become increasingly popular across the United States. This bill recognizes online wagering as a legitimate extension of existing gaming operations and places the Mississippi Gaming Commission in charge of oversight and compliance. One of the strengths of this legislation is its reliance on technology—such as geofencing—to ensure that only individuals physically located within Mississippi can participate in online betting.
Senate Bill 2249, known as the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act, aims to legalize online sports betting and online race book operations within the state of Mississippi. Under this legislation, licensed gaming establishments can contract with a single platform to offer wagers on sports events and races over the Internet. This act sets forth specific definitions and requirements for the operations to ensure that betting can only occur on platforms that are geofenced to ensure compliance with state boundaries and age-verification protocols, mandating that all players must be at least 21 years of age. It establishes a framework for the licensing of platforms that conduct such online gambling activities, complementing existing legislation on traditional gaming methods in Mississippi.
Despite the potential revenue growth from sports betting, there are concerns regarding the impact of gambling expansion on public health and safety. Critics may argue that the availability of mobile betting could lead to increased gambling addiction and related issues within the community. Furthermore, the requirement that platforms can only work with one licensed gaming establishment may stifle competition in the online wagering market. Additionally, with the proceeds from the taxation on mobile sports wagering directed towards the Mississippi HOPE Scholarship Fund, there are discussions about equitable allocation of these funds and whether they align with broader educational needs in the state.