As Mississippi lawmakers consider legalizing online sports betting and iGaming, both residents and casino operators are voicing strong opposition. Recent polling and a formal industry letter highlight widespread concern about expanding digital gambling options in the state.
Strong Public and Industry Opposition
Polling commissioned in January by the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) reveals that Mississippi voters are largely against online gambling. Nearly 75% of respondents (74.2%) opposed mobile sports betting after learning it would allow statewide wagers via smartphones and other devices. Opposition to iGaming, which would permit 24/7 access to casino-style games, was even higher, with 80.8% of those surveyed against it once they received additional details about the proposals.
This public sentiment aligns with the stance of major casino operators in Mississippi. On January 21, a coalition including the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Pearl River Resorts sent a letter to state leaders cautioning against OSB and iGaming legalization. The letter warned that these measures could undermine billions of dollars in existing casino investments and threaten local employment that has supported the state economy since 1992.
“The people of Mississippi are speaking clearly: they value their communities, their local jobs, and their families more than the minimal tax revenue promised by out-of-state tech companies,” the letter concluded.
Economic Risks and Social Concerns
The casino coalition raised multiple economic and social issues. They emphasized that online sports betting could divert revenue away from Mississippi-based casinos, as out-of-state operators would take corporate overhead before sharing profits with local partners. This might result in job losses, particularly in hospitality, due to reduced foot traffic in physical casinos.
The projected financial gains from online gambling were also questioned. The coalition estimates OSB would generate just $11 million in tax revenue annually—a small fraction of Mississippi’s $7 billion state budget—and argued the risk to the state’s established gaming industry and local jobs outweighs the benefits.
Social concerns were highlighted as well. Research from other states that legalized online betting shows alarming trends, including a 67% increase in gambling addiction-related searches and a 30% rise in bankruptcies among low-savings households. States adopting OSB have seen a 372% surge in irresponsible gambling behavior, raising public health alarms.
Further polling by the Bradley Research Group for NAAiG, covering over 4,200 registered voters, confirmed consistent opposition across districts and demographic groups. Casino operators pointed out they own, on average, 55% of their Mississippi properties, compared to just 22% for entities supporting online expansion, underscoring their deeper investment in the local economy.
Balancing Revenue and Risks
Despite strong resistance, some lawmakers argue online gambling could increase state tax revenue. Comparisons with Kansas, which legalized mobile sports betting in 2022, suggest potential gains: Mississippi’s sports betting handle reached $3.29 billion with $352.6 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) by 2023, whereas Kansas reported nearly $8 billion in handle and $740.5 million in GGR over a similar period.
Mississippi’s retail sports betting industry, operational since 2018, has shown steady growth, with December 2023 GGR exceeding $35 million. Proponents contend that online options could replicate Kansas’s revenue boost, though widespread public and industry concerns remain a significant hurdle.
Source:
“Mississippi Lawmakers Face Growing Opposition to Online Gambling Expansion”, news.worldcasinodirectory.com, January 30, 2026
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