Legal Mississippi Gambling

Mississippi Gambling

What types of gambling are legal in Mississippi?

Mississippi has a long history of gambling. Its riverboat casinos were eventually legalized. It was the first state in the South to open casinos. It also has legal sports betting, fantasy sports contests, a state lottery and charitable gaming. There are off-track betting parlors in casino sportsbooks. There are no live race tracks. 

This list shows the types of legal Mississippi gambling and where to find it:

  • State lottery (retailers)
  • Horse racing (off-track at casino sportsbooks)
  • Casinos (land, water and reservation-based)
  • Sports betting (casinos)
  • Daily fantasy sports (online)
  • Bingo and raffles (charities)

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Online Gambling in Mississippi

The only form of legal online gambling in Mississippi is daily fantasy sports contests. DraftKings, FanDuel are among the DFS companies that accept Mississippi players. Online sports betting and pari-mutuel betting is legal in Mississippi. However, it must occur on a casino’s property. 

Mississippi Online Gambling Laws

Daily fantasy sports contests were legalized through the Mississippi Fantasy Contest Act. Sites must be licensed and pay an 8% tax on gross gaming receipts to the state. Players must be at least 21 years old. 

Mobile sports betting is legal on casino properties and nowhere else in the state. All other forms of Mississippi online gambling are currently illegal. This includes offshore betting sites. 

Land-Based Mississippi

Mississippi allows casinos along the frontage or in waterways. These casinos offer a standard selection of games that include craps, roulette, blackjack, poker, video poker and slot machines. There are no bet or game limits. 

Casino Laws in Mississippi

Mississippi casinos were created through a House Bill 2 during a 1990 special session of the state legislature. At the time, casinos were required to be on waterways, such as the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Katrina demolished most Mississippi Gulf Coast casinos in 2005. Casinos were no longer required to be on boats after that. However, gaming must be within 800 feet of a body of water and within a jurisdiction that approved it. The tax rate is 12%. Casino players must be at least 21 years old.  

Mississippi Sports Betting

Sports betting is legal on the property of casinos in the state. This allows for mobile betting at casinos but nowhere else. Most Mississippi casinos have sportsbooks. All games are permitted. This includes pro and college. The typical betting menus are offered at Mississippi sportsbooks.

Sports Betting Laws in Mississippi

Sports betting was legalized through the Fantasy Contest Act in 2017. This allowed Mississippi casinos to rollout sports betting in August 2018. Mobile betting is not legal in the state unless it is on a casino property. Mississippi sports bettors must be at least 21 years old. 

Mississippi Poker

Poker is legal at the state’s casinos. Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud and mixed games are common. Cash games and tournaments are dealt. 

Poker Laws in Mississippi

Poker was legalized during the 1990 special legislative session at the same time as casinos. Rake is taxed at a rate of 12%. Players must be at least 21 years old. 

Mississippi Daily Fantasy Sports

Mississippi regulates fantasy sports contests. Sites like DraftKings, FanDuel, Fantasy Draft and Yahoo accept Mississippians. There are no limits on the types of contests allowed.

Fantasy Sports Laws in Mississippi

The Fantasy Contest Act legalized these games in 2017. It is the only form of legal online gambling in Mississippi. All contests are available to players. The minimum age is 21.

Mississippi Lottery

The Mississippi Lottery offers two types of games. There are instant games. These are sold through about 50 scratch-off ticket titles. Tickets range from $1 to $10. There are also three lotto drawings.

Intrastate Lotto Drawings

  • Cash 3

Interstate Lotto Drawings

  • Mega Millions
  • Powerball

Mississippi Lottery Laws

Mississippi entered the lottery business late in the game. The combination of the state’s gaming industry and conservative nature caused it to be defeated many times before becoming reality. The first tickets were sold in December 2019. Proceeds go towards highways and education. Lottery ticket purchasers must be at least 21 years old.

Mississippi Horse Racing Betting

Mississippi is the rare state that legalized casinos without ever having any form of racing. There are no race tracks in the state. Bets may be made on interstate horse races at the state’s sportsbooks. There is no mobile betting on horses away from casino property in Mississippi. 

Mississippi Horse Racing Laws

There are no laws that pertain directly to horse racing in Mississippi. Simulcast betting at casinos was legalized through the Fantasy Contest Act. It only permits betting on these contests at a casino. Bettors must be at least 21 years old. 

Mississippi Esports Betting

eSports betting is not specifically legal in Mississippi. A contest would need to be approved by state gaming regulators. Social betting among friends would technically be illegal. Participants may be able to claim a skill game exemption. 

Mississippi Skill Games

Skill game sites are legal in Mississippi. This includes Worldwinner and other cash game apps where players compete based on skill.

Skill-based gaming machines may be played for prizes or credits in arcades. Cash games may only be played in casinos.

Mississippi Charity Gambling Law

Charities may hold bingo games and raffles in Mississippi. This was permitted under the passage of the Charitable Bingo Act in 1992. All forms of nonprofit organizations may apply for bingo licenses. This includes civic, religious, fraternal and education. Licensing fees range from $1,500 to $2,500. There is also a tax of a few percent of the gross revenues, depending on the amount of revenue raised by the organization. . 

Electronic bingo machines and auto-daubers may be used. Players must be at least 18 years old. 

Mississippi Gambling Regulators

Mississippi Gambling FAQ

Mississippi does not have a social gaming exemption. A poker game or any other game that includes luck where there is an entry fee must be held at a licensed casino.