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The Mississippi Senate plans to consider a path for Mississippi online sports betting. Only a few days after a House Committee reshaped a study bill, HB 606 passed the Mississippi House 140-4.
Rep. Casey Eure, the chair of the Mississippi House’s gaming committee, was the one to present HB 606 recently. As introduced, the bill would allow 28 Mississippi casinos to partner with one corresponding online sportsbook.
After the House Appropriation committee’s adjustments, the bill would task an 11-member task force, LSR reports. The team would also develop a report on online sports betting by Oct. 15, implying fees and tax structures.
How is HB 606 different from prior versions of the bill?
For the fifth year in a row, a state legislator has submitted a proposal to legalize sports betting in Mississippi. Until now, players could only bet on retail casino grounds.
Although similar to bills previously presented to the committee, HB 606 would make one significant change regarding the state’s betting landscape. It would propose geofencing requirements. Instead of requiring players to be on casino premises, the bill would allow eligible bettors to gamble anywhere inside the state. That is if they register with a legal sports betting app.
Players looking to bet online would have to complete their registration process in person at the corresponding Mississippi casino. According to this bill, players must also renew their registration every 12 months.
BetMGM is the only Mississippi online sports betting app
Although Mississippi was an early adopter of casinos, the state has had only one operational mobile app, BetMGM. To set up an account and play, users must be within an MGM casino premise or at the partnered property. For example, Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica allows players to bet online using the BetMGM mobile app.
As another example, Treasure Bay Casino and Hotel recently converted its former retail sportsbook platform to IGT’s PlaySports solution. In doing so, the casino offers on-premises mobile technology allowing players to place online bets at the premises.
If successful, HB 606 would allow other Mississippi casinos and the state’s race tracks to offer retail sportsbooks and apps.
