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Mississippi’s casinos are facing a divided front over the potential shift to online sports betting. Tuesday saw the Mississippi legislature’s Mobile Online Sports Betting Task Force meet to hear from numerous key players in the gaming industry. Interestingly, while some local casinos expressed reservations about expanding to online sports betting, other operators see the opportunities it could present.
Introduced in 2018, retail sports betting in Mississippi is confined only to casino properties such as those in Vicksburg or Greenville. But, state Representative Casey Eure has a different vision for the state’s betting future. He said, “I’ve already publicly said that I will have a bill that I will introduce.” Although confident in his stance, Eure does acknowledge the challenges in ensuring its passage through the House.
During the task force meeting, representatives from five casinos expressed their perspectives. The larger casinos seemed to waver, while smaller operators, like the Palace Casino, firmly opposed the idea. Keith Crosby, GM of Palace Casino, voiced his concerns, emphasizing, “This unfettered growth will be dominated by a few operators, and our chance to compete with that is zero.”
For some state legislators, the worry revolves around potential impacts on local operators. Historically, several mobile sports betting bills have been presented, but they didn’t garner significant support from lawmakers.
The task force’s mission now is to prepare a comprehensive report by December 15, in anticipation of the 2024 legislative session that kicks off on January 2. This report will provide insights into various aspects, such as tax rates, licensing, and even the possibility of a public referendum.