Mississippi took a bold step in 2018 as one of the first US states to legalize sports betting. Since then, residents have been able to place bets at licensed casinos across the state. While online betting in Mississippi isn’t fully remote, the passion for backing local teams remains strong, with many bettors placing wagers through on-site mobile apps at casino properties.
Last updated: 28 October 2025, 10:06AM


On this page, we’ll walk you through how Mississippi’s betting laws work, what kinds of bonuses and apps are available, and tips on how to place real money wagers. But first, let's check out our list of the best Mississippi sports betting sites:
Our team follows a strict review process to finalize which MS online sportsbooks are listed on the website. Here is what we test to make sure what you see is actually what you get:
If a sportsbook isn’t licensed by the Mississippi Gaming Commission, nothing else really matters. We confirm that every site we recommend is legally connected to a licensed Mississippi casino or authorized to operate under the state’s gaming regulations. This helps protect your money and ensures fair betting practices.
Trust becomes non-negotiable when real money gets involved. This is why we look for sportsbooks that use 128-bit SSL encryption and protect player data carefully. Since Mississippi betting happens mostly inside casinos, security is a must-have to keep your info safe and your bets protected.
Punters like to get a head start on their betting balance, and bonuses are a perfect way to do that. But an MS betting bonus with complex or hidden terms doesn't add as much as it takes away. We sign up like any regular bettor would and test the welcome offers and ongoing deals ourselves to list only the fairest deals.
Throwing your money on sportsbooks with weak odds reduces your potential wins. That’s why track how sportsbooks price common bets like moneylines, totals, and spreads, especially for games that matter to Mississippi bettors. Fair, competitive odds are a priority in our evaluation process.
You’d be surprised how many sportsbooks claim to offer “everything” and then fall short once you sign up. We not only look at what sports are covered, but also how deep the options go. Availability of live bets, same game parlays, and even features like early cash outs are a big plus for us.
If placing a bet feels like work, there is no fun left in it. We use each sportsbook across desktop and mobile to check for loading issues, confusing layouts, and slow bet processing. The best sites in Mississippi keep things simple and reliable, even when you are betting from inside a casino.
Mississippi didn’t wait long after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018. It became the third state to approve legal sports betting, but with a twist: online sportsbooks are technically allowed, but bets can only be placed while you're physically inside a casino.
The Mississippi Gaming Commission regulates all legal sports betting sites in Mississippi, handling licenses and oversight. Today, over 20 retail sportsbooks operate inside licensed casinos, making Mississippi a go-to state for in-person wagers. Here's a quick look at how it all unfolded:
May 14, 2018: Supreme Court overturns PASPA, launching the national discussion on sports betting.
June 2018: Mississippi finalizes sports betting legislation, paving the way for casino sportsbooks.
August 1, 2018: First bets placed at Beau Rivage and Gold Strike casinos.
January 2019: Retail sportsbooks expand rapidly, with more than 20 sites open across the state by year’s end.
January 2024: The Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act passes the House, proposing mobile betting tied to licensed casinos.
2024–2025: Bills like HB 774 and HB 1302, which aimed to legalize full mobile betting, fail to advance out of committee.
To place a legal bet in Mississippi, you must be 21 or older and physically present inside a licensed sportsbook. While you can legally wager on college sports, professional leagues, and even pari‑mutuel horse race wagering via licensed sports pools, prop bets on individual college athletes are strictly off-limits.
March 28, 2025 – PropSwap and Bally Bet announced a partnership with a new sportsbook launch at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi. On the other hand, local handle is expected to rise as resale of active betting slips becomes available.
June 25, 2025 – Mississippi’s May sports betting handle fell to $22.6 million, marking a 16% year-over-year dip. However, basketball remained the top choice among coastal bettors, generating $3.4 million in taxable revenue.
June 18, 2025 – The Gaming Commission sent cease-and-desist orders to ten unauthorized betting platforms unfairly mimicking licensed casinos, safeguarding consumers and reinforcing legal sports betting standards.
All sports wagering income in the US is subject to federal taxes. Mississippi also taxes gambling winnings at a flat 3 percent. Bettors who win over $600 at legal sportsbooks typically receive a W-2G form, and those earnings must be reported when filing state and federal returns.
Mississippi's Betting operators are taxed 12 percent on adjusted gross revenue, with 8 percent going to the state and 4 percent to local governments. The Mississippi Gaming Commission collects these sports wagering taxes, helping fund regulatory efforts and community programs.
Retail Sports Betting Launch | August 1, 2018 |
Online Sports Betting Launch | Not fully remote — mobile betting allowed only on licensed casinos |
Legal Betting Age | 21 |
Licensing Authority | Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) |
Sports Betting Apps | Yes - on-site use only |
Online Sports Betting | Limited to casino properties |
Retail Sports Betting | Yes |
Online Casinos (iGaming) | No |
Remote Registration | No |
Esports Betting | No |
College Sports Betting | Yes – no prop bets on individual college athletes |
State Population | ~3 million |
2024 Betting Handle | $5.3 billion |
Tax Rate on Winnings | 24 federal withholding; 3 state tax |
Operator Tax Rate | 12 (8 to the state, 4% to local governments) |
Chasing Mississippi sports betting promos can boost your bankroll fast if you know what to look for. Below, we break down offers that matter and how you can get the most out of them:
These are the offers flashing at you when you first land on a Mississippi sports betting platform. Here, you get a boosted balance or free bets to try out the site. When choosing this bonus for yourself, look for fair multipliers (ideally 1x–5x) and transparent expiration dates within the terms.
Bonus bets allow you to play with house money, which can feel risk-free on the surface. If you win, you keep the profit, but not always the original stake. The best Mississippi sportsbooks make it easy to use these bets on popular games without any hidden rules to catch you off guard.
No deposit bonuses in Mississippi are pretty rare, but they do exist. You get free credits for just signing up, which feels like an ideal situation. However, the playthrough requirements for these promos are usually high. So, if you see such a deal, look for wagering under 10x and the easy cash-out feature.
Everyone wants a bigger payout for backing their favorite team, and these MS betting promos do just that. They help, sure, but watch out for the low bet limits that can make a “boost” feel minor. Real value comes from promos with usable odds and reasonable betting limits,
As the name suggests, a good loyalty program should reward sports bettors in Mississippi for their loyalty, rather than simply offering silver or gold status tiers for the sake of it. Always look for MS bookmakers where your betting volume earns you real perks like faster payouts, better odds, or boosted promos, not just digital confetti.
Mississippi’s sports betting revolves around devoted fans who make the market what it is with their passion and betting habits. Even without any professional sports teams in the state, fans continue to bet on sports in Mississippi. Here are the most popular options:
Mississippi might not have a local NFL team, but that doesn’t affect the enthusiasm for professional football here. Bettors on the top Mississippi betting platforms often focus on neighboring teams like the New Orleans Saints or Dallas Cowboys. Football remains the most popular sport in Mississippi, with punters placing prop bets on touchdown scorers or quarter outcomes, especially when local fans gather around big games.
While there’s no professional team in-state, basketball fans who live in Mississippi often follow and wager on the Memphis Grizzlies. The NBA draws steady betting interest, particularly as the NBA Finals approach. It’s not just about picking a winner either; fans are placing bets on everything from point spreads to player performance, and once the games tip off, live betting sees a significant surge at the best Mississippi betting sites.
The SEC has a firm grip on Mississippi sports culture, and that clearly shows in the betting scene. Football games featuring Ole Miss or Mississippi State often see more wagers than some NFL matchups. While college sports betting in Mississippi is legal, you can’t place player prop bets on college athletes.
Similarly, during Basketball season, locals tend to back familiar teams regardless of form, especially during rivalry weeks or when NCAA competitions hit the postseason.
Ice Hockey doesn’t have deep roots in Mississippi, but NHL betting is surprisingly consistent in the state, especially around the playoffs. Many sports bettors in Mississippi either follow the Nashville Predators or back well-established Eastern Conference teams when they’re in form. While totals and moneylines are the most common wagers, bettors with more experience often prefer period-by-period betting and goalie save props.
Compared to other sports, baseball might not be in the headlines, but that doesn’t mean it’s ignored in Mississippi. Bettors here often support the Atlanta Braves and Hthe ouston Astros, two of the most followed major baseball teams nearby. Most Mississippi sportsbooks focus on prop markets on baseball, like total bases, pitcher strikeouts, and home runs. Braves games, particularly, attract volume on first-five-inning wagers due to their consistent starting rotations.
Unlike other U.S. sports, Tennis is truly global, and so it holds a strong appeal among more tactical Mississippi bettors, especially during Grand Slam matches like the US Open. The sports' fast-paced nature and international reach provide a fresh perspective to MS residents looking for year-round action. Betting interest increases when top-seeded players are in action, particularly during night sessions or matches held in US-based competitions.
Daily fantasy sports betting in Mississippi first got the green light in 2017, thanks to the Fantasy Contest Act. All licensed DFS operators in the state fall under the supervision of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, which ensures security and transparency across the board.
Unlike traditional sports betting in Mississippi, which requires bets to be placed in person at licensed casinos, DFS is more flexible. DFS contests can be played online or through mobile apps anywhere in the state, making it accessible to a wider audience. This convenience has naturally drawn in new and seasoned DFS bettors, especially during NFL Sundays or college football weekends.
Top Mississippi sports betting sites, including DraftKings and FanDuel, offer a variety of contest types such as Head-to-Head, 50/50s, and Guaranteed Prize Pools (GPPs). Fantasy sports betting is less about betting on outcomes or scores and more about building teams and scoring points based on the real-life performances of the players you pick.
Online sports betting in Mississippi is not legal in the same way it is in many other states. Here are the steps you need to follow to place real money bets:
1. Start by picking a licensed Mississippi sportsbook that suits your style from the ones listed here. Then, visit a casino that supports on-site mobile betting, like BetMGM at Beau Rivage or Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Gulf Coast.
2. Next, register for an account through the sportsbook’s app while you’re at the casino.
You’ll need to upload a valid ID and confirm you’re 21 or older, which is the legal betting age in Mississippi.
3. Add funds to your account using cash at the window or another accepted method. Some casinos offer prepaid cards or have ATMs nearby. Be sure to turn on your phone’s location services so the app can verify you’re inside Mississippi.
4. Once you’re funded and on casino property, browse the available games and markets. You’ll find betting options across the NFL, college football, basketball, baseball, and more, including spreads, totals, and moneylines.
5. Finally, choose your bet, enter your stake, and confirm it on the app. Keep your digital bet slip safe, since you’ll need it to claim your winnings if your pick comes through.
Mobile sports betting is legal in Mississippi, but it’s definitely not the same as what you’ll find in states with full remote access. Here, you can only place mobile bets when you’re physically inside a licensed casino. So, unlike other states where you can bet from your living room, Mississippi law keeps things tied to casino properties.
Once inside a licensed location, Mississippi sports betting apps like BetMGM, Caesars, or Barstool can be easily downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.. These mobile betting apps offer user-friendly interfaces, allowing punters to place point spreads, moneylines, totals, and live bets on both popular and niche sports right from their phones.
Lawmakers in Mississippi have been trying to broaden the mobile sports betting access so bets can be placed from anywhere in the state, but things have not moved very fast. Until any changes happen, punters can place wagers from their phones without having to wait in line, while still enjoying a few drinks with their friends within the casino.
Mississippi’s sports betting scene combines the excitement of live action with the convenience of mobile apps like no other state. With trusted sportsbooks already available, MS bettors have plenty of options and bonuses to enjoy.
Of course, there is still room for improvement, especially when it comes to allowing remote betting from anywhere in the state. With so much passion for sports here, a bit more flexibility from lawmakers could easily push Mississippi into the top ranks of legal sports betting states.
Ready to get started? Check out our trusted list of Mississippi sports betting sites and start with one that suits your game.
FAQs - Mississippi Betting