Mississippi is considering a new bill that would legalize online betting, gaming, and wagering on sporting events. Senate Bill 2396, authored by Mississippi Senator Scott DeLano, seeks to amend the existing state law that already allows for sports wagering, but only in structures and on vessels within the three most-southern counties in Mississippi.
The state was one of the early jurisdictions to permit sports betting within its borders after the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which served to prevent the vast majority of states from authorizing such activity. However, Mississippi has failed to properly enhance its law by adding on the ability for online wagering, which is offered in numerous states, such as Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, and New Jersey.
As of today, 10 states offer online betting with a variety of operators permitted to serve their constituents. Another three states — New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island — and Washington D.C. restrict online wagering to a single operator. There are six additional states that prevent individuals from placing bets from the comfort of their homes, including Mississippi at the present time.
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While 19 states currently offer some form of sports gambling, that number could quickly jump to 25 before the close of 2021. North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington have already approved legislation, but no legal bets have been placed. North Carolina’s law does not currently allow for online betting, the Virginia lottery has been slow to approve sportsbooks (which will include online offerings), and the state of Washington, which will not allow for online betting off of casino grounds, is working with various tribes on a deal to offer sports betting on tribal lands.
Louisiana, Maryland, and South Dakota could also soon have sports betting options within their borders. Last year, 55 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes voted for the legalization of sports betting, but no regulations have been formalized. Voters in Maryland also approved sports betting in 2020, and rules are supposedly being formulated. Finally, South Dakota voters said yes to sports betting in 2020, and the next step is for the legislature to approve similar legislation.
Many other states could join the party and pass their own legislation on sports betting in 2021. In the meantime, Mississippi has an important, but what should be easy, decision to make concerning whether to permit online wagering in addition to current offerings at retail sportsbooks. Failing to approve the amendment would be akin to leaving money on the table.
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Darren Heitner is the founder of Heitner Legal. He is the author of How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, published by the American Bar Association, and is an adjunct professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. You can reach him by email at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @DarrenHeitner.