Mississippi lawmakers ended the 2026 regular session without advancing several proposals that aimed to reshape the state’s gambling industry. Efforts to legalize mobile sports betting and prohibit online sweepstakes casinos collapsed after the measures failed to clear key committees before a March 3 legislative deadline.
Under legislative rules, bills originating in one chamber must be reported out of committee in the other chamber before the deadline to remain active. Because that did not occur, the proposals automatically expired for the year, leaving Mississippi’s current gaming framework unchanged.
Mobile Sports Betting Proposals Stall
Mississippi allows sports wagering only at licensed casinos. House Bill 1581, the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act, passed the House on Feb. 4 with an 85-31 vote and would have allowed each retail casino to partner with up to two online sportsbooks.
Operators would have paid taxes based on a sliding scale: 4% for the first $50,000 in monthly revenue, 6% at $84,000, and 8% for additional revenue. The bill also included $6 million annually for five years to offset potential losses for land-based casinos, and a $600 million transfer from the Mississippi Capital Expense Fund to support the state pension system and infrastructure.
Rep. Casey Eure later introduced HB 4074, allowing only one online sportsbook per casino, with a 22% tax on mobile wagering and a reduced 6% tax on land-based casinos, projected to save $48 million annually. The measure did not advance before the deadline.
Sweepstakes Casino Prohibition Stalls In House
At the same time, senators attempted to move forward with a proposal targeting online sweepstakes casinos.
Senate Bill 2104 sought to classify “internet sweepstakes casinos” and “online sweepstakes casino-style games” as illegal gambling devices. The measure also targeted the promotion of online sports pools and online racebooks.
If approved, the legislation would have introduced significant penalties for violations, including fines that could reach $100,000 and prison sentences of up to 10 years for operating an online sweepstakes casino.
The Senate approved SB 2104 on Feb. 4 before sending it to the House Gaming Committee. The committee did not bring the bill to a vote before the deadline, ending its progress for the year. Lawmakers had attempted a similar sweepstakes ban during the 2025 legislative session, which also failed to pass.
Legislative Divide Persists
The outcome reflects a continuing divide between the two chambers. The House has repeatedly supported expanding sports betting to mobile platforms, while Senate leadership has shown greater caution.
Some senators argue that mobile wagering could draw business away from the state’s casino properties. Others question whether revenue from expanded betting would meaningfully improve state finances.
The stalemate mirrors developments during the 2025 session, when similar proposals also collapsed after lawmakers could not reconcile competing priorities.
Although none of the measures succeeded this year, the repeated introduction and partial passage of gambling legislation suggests the debate will continue in future sessions as lawmakers consider changes to Mississippi’s gaming laws.
Source:
“Mississippi fails to pass sweeps ban & online sports betting bills”, sbcamericas.com, March 4, 2026
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