Online Gambling in Mississippi on Hold

Despite the fact that numerous bills to legalize online gambling have been proposed, according to the report of SunHerald, legalization of internet gambling stays on hold in the state of Mississippi. Lawmakers in the state are currently more interested in sports betting and lottery market.

It is opinion of the Rep. Richard Bennett, based on the research conducted last year, that sports betting would help the industry in Mississippi as casino revenues have been declining in the state over the past two years. He explained that New Jersey has generated only 10% of what was predicted and that is one of the reasons that Mississippi is going to stay back and watch.

Mississippi law strictly forbids internet gambling and sports betting. When it comes to lottery, people have already voted in favor of it and the legislature changed after the 1992 vote. However, the legislation was never enacted so currently, Mississippi is one of only five states without a lottery.

Rep. Richard Bennett explained that the best solution for Mississippi would be Powerball lottery with its large national jackpots. He said that there is no point of bringing lottery to every small town that doesn't want it so he suggested that Mississippi could sell Powerball lottery tickets only in existing casinos.

Powerball lottery probably won’t make huge money but it will certainly keep money in the state because people are currently buying lottery tickets in other states.

Lottery has support in the Legislature compared to internet gambling as the state leaders have little interest to legalize online gambling. In Bennett's opinion Mississippi is not ready for such a move because many people in Mississippi don’t have computers or internet access.

Sports betting will probably be regulated before lottery and internet gaming according to the executive vice president of hotel and casino operations for Hard Rock International Jon Lucas. He believes that popularity of fantasy sports has pushed sports betting to the forefront.

Allen Godfrey thinks that sports betting could be very positive move for the state and if federal ban is lifted, the state will certainly discuss the possibility of legalizing sports betting in Mississippi.

Sports betting is very popular in the states where it’s legal and according to the results of the task force report in Nevada, Americans have wagered $3.6b in 2013. It was estimated that 45% of that were bets placed on football.

Even though internet gambling is a major source of revenue in the states where it’s legalized, state leaders currently have little interest in online gambling industry. Apparently Mississippi is not ready to discuss internet gambling especially in light of the fact that New Jersey has generated only 10% of what has been predicted.

However casino operators in Mississippi are facing concerns over possible loss of Alabama customers at Mississippi casinos. As it was reported by SunHerald, nearly one-third of the customers of South Mississippi casinos from January to March came from Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The main problem is that Alabama is currently considering legislation that would legalize lottery and casinos at four race tracks in the state. Mississippi casino industry now fears that casinos in the state could suffer a great loss if the bill passes in Alabama.

Mississippi is currently building casino resort destinations with non gaming amenities to give customers a reason to spend their money there.