A third online sports betting bill dropped recently in the Mississippi legislature, but the third time might be the charm for such a measure given the broader support this time around.
House Bill 774 was introduced on Monday and referred to the House of Representatives gaming committee. It was then passed by the committee on Tuesday and now needs to be placed on the calendar for further debate and progress in the House.
The bill is the third mobile sports betting-related piece of legislation filed this year in Jackson.
However, H.B. 774 is different from the first two pieces of legislation (which are identical) in that it has bipartisan support, with multiple sponsors from the Democratic and Republican sides of the aisle. Also, the principal author of the bill is Rep. Casey Eure, who co-chaired a mobile sports betting task force last year and vowed to introduce legislation in this year's legislative session.
Sports yes, casino no
The "Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act” would legalize online race and sports betting sites, while making it clear that it does not authorize statewide internet casino gambling, which could ease the concerns of some brick-and-mortar gaming operators.
Mississippi has nearly 30 commercial and tribal casinos that offer in-person sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. A few of those facilities enable mobile betting when a person is physically on their property but nowhere else, as statewide internet gambling is illegal.
H.B. 774 would allow Mississippi's casinos to partner with one online sports betting operator apiece to offer mobile wagering in the state, provided those operators obtain a license first. Bettors would have to be 21 or older and could register for accounts in person at a casino or over the internet.
Sports-betting revenue would be lumped in with broader gaming revenue and taxed at a graduating rate, peaking at an 8% levy on all income over $134,000 a month. The bill, if passed, would take effect starting July 1, giving regulators time to try for a launch of mobile betting before or during football season.
The cafe is closed
H.B. 774 also contains provisions regarding paid fantasy sports contests, stating that they are legal in the state but that operators are not allowed to participate, which could exclude pick'em games against the house.
Another section of the legislation clarifies that running "Internet sweepstakes cafes" is illegal in the state.
But, before any of the above comes to pass, H.B. 774 must be passed itself, which is not guaranteed.
Previous efforts in the Magnolia State have failed and, despite the research that went on in the fall, it’s unclear if a majority of lawmakers have been won over.
