The State of Mississippi is one of 38 that offers some form of mobile sports betting. However, the Senate has been working to get mobile sports betting legalized fully. Right now, there are 26 brick-and-mortar casinos in Mississippi. Residents must be on the casino premises to place wagers. Last Tuesday, the Senate voted to pass House Bill 774. 

House Bill 774 establishes the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act. This would allow residents 21 and older to place mobile outside the casino premises. Despite the Bill being passed. A motion to reconsider the Bill started last Thursday, the last day for it to be passed. Sadly, the Bill was reverted to its previous legislation. 

This is the second year in a row that the Mississippi Senate has turned down mobile sports betting. What is holding lawmakers back? Sports gambling has been on the rise and it’s only a matter of time until residents in Mississippi can wager on sports from anywhere in the state. 

Senator David Blount expects a conference committee established to help resolve the matter

David Blount is the chairman of the gaming committee. He suggests the decision that happened on Thursday did not express how the Senate felt about the topic. However, it did prove that the issue of mobile sports gambling is not going away. At some point in time, lawmakers have to decide. 

Last Thursday, Blount had this to say in terms of lawmakers trying to resolve differences in House Bill 774. 

” The bill that was held on the motion simply brings forward the [Mississippi Code] sections that were in the bill originally passed by the House,” Blount said on Thursday, “There is no new language. I anticipate the House will invite conference when we send this back over to them.”

What has led the Mississippi Senate to this point where they continuously cannot get this Bill approved?

For two years in a row, lawmakers have held up the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act. One year ago, the Bill was passed but was eventually amended. A committee was then created to mobile sports betting and its effects on the state of Mississippi. 

A comprehensive analysis of the entire situation was done. They found that Mississippi brings in less revenue than most states that offer mobile sports betting fully. Certain lawmakers feel this could harm their state. However, the Gaming Commissioner Jay McDaniel thinks otherwise. 

Speaking with Super Talk Mississippi News, McDaniel had this to say.

“We would definitely see an increase in revenue just because it would reach all corners of the state,” McDaniel said in February. “I believe we would capture some from a state like Alabama that doesn’t have it right now legally.”

That could draw more revenue for the Mississippi when they do finally pass House Bill 774. McDaniel mentioned how residents from Alabama could drive into Mississippi and place mobile sports bets way. It’s a point that lawmakers need to take into consideration when voting to pass the Bill. Hence the reason why Senator David Blount expects a committee to be established to resolve the matter.

What’s next for House Bill 774?

In February, House Bill 774 was initially passed. However, the legislation sat in the House for two months before the Bills were amended last Tuesday, On top of that, a motion to reconsider the Bill. Eventually, it will make its way back to the House. It’s truly unknown when the Senate will approve mobile sports gambling in Mississippi.

For now, the state remains one of 20 that doesn’t have mobile sports betting broadly available. Lawmakers will continue to listen to each other and the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act will still wait to be passed in the House.