The state House on Thursday authorized laws to legalize cell sports activities betting, placing Mississippi on monitor to affix a rising variety of states to legalize a type of distant gaming.  

The measure handed the GOP-controlled House by 97-14, and it now heads to a Senate committee for consideration earlier than turning into regulation. 

House Gaming Committee Chairman Casey Eure, R-Saucier, mentioned Mississippi may considerably scale back the variety of unlawful bets forged within the state if the Legislature enacts a authorized distant betting program. 

“It’s estimated that $64 billion was wagered on illegal sports bets across the United States last calendar year,” Eure mentioned. “Mississippi makes up 5% of that market, which is $3 billion.” 

Under the proposal, bettors wouldn’t need to bodily go to a on line casino to register for sports activities betting. The total registration course of may occur remotely, so long as it was performed in Mississippi. 

In-person sports activities wagering and cell fantasy sports activities have been authorized within the state since 2018, however on-line betting has remained outlawed over worries the follow may erode casinos’ income.

The House proposal would require on-line sportsbooks like DraftKings or FanDuel, referred to as a “skin” or “platform,” to companion with a bodily on line casino in Mississippi earlier than permitting clients to take part in cell betting. Betters, irrespective of the place within the state they’re positioned, may select which on line casino to make use of to put a wager. 

The invoice limits casinos to solely partnering with one sportsbook platform, however platforms can companion with a number of Mississippi casinos concurrently. Mississippi at the moment has 26 casinos, and Eure estimated that round 30 sportsbook firms exist.

Rep. Robert Johnson III, a Democrat from Natchez, raised considerations that smaller casinos similar to Magnolia Bluffs in his district would face difficulties in search of a profitable deal from platforms as a result of bigger casinos, such because the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino on the Coast, would have extra leverage to barter a useful enterprise deal. 

Johnson, the House minority chief, aimed to guard the smaller on line casino markets by providing an modification requiring casinos to obtain income from cell wagers made inside 40 miles of the on line casino, however Republicans defeated his efforts. 

“I have a responsibility to make sure that I protect the jobs and the opportunities that are available in my community,” Johnson mentioned. 

The measure enacts a 12% tax on sports activities wagers. The proceeds from the tax will go towards repairing roads and bridges owned by counties and municipalities all through the state. 

A earlier model of the proposal enacted a 12% tax on bets, however 4% of the proceeds went towards the county of the on line casino and eight% went to the state. But Eure, the invoice’s writer modified the tax construction to assuage considerations from lawmakers representing areas with out casinos. 

Eure, the invoice’s writer, estimated that Mississippi would generate between $25 million to $35 million in income through the first 12 months if the state enacted a cell sports activities betting program.

The House measure will now seemingly head to the Senate Gaming Committee for consideration. Eure mentioned he’s actively speaking with Senate leaders in regards to the laws, who’ve till April 2 to cross the measure out of a committee.