The Mississippi House of Representatives has passed the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act (HB 4074), advancing the proposal to the state Senate for consideration. The bill would authorize mobile sports betting statewide and adjust existing gaming tax rates, marking the latest legislative effort to legalize online wagering in Mississippi.
Lawmakers approved the measure in a 100–11 vote on Wednesday morning. Under the proposal, online sports betting revenue would be taxed at 22%, an increase from 18.5% from previous measures, aligning Mississippi more closely with national averages.
At the same time, the legislation lowers the state gaming tax on brick-and-mortar casinos from 8% to 6%, while keeping the 4% local tax unchanged.
House Gaming Committee Chairman Rep. Casey Eure stated that the higher mobile rate is projected to generate roughly $100 million annually. The casino tax reduction, which is estimated at about $48 million, would allow operators to reinvest in facilities and workforce improvements.
The bill would also direct $50 million per year to the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) for the next 10 years.
HB 4074 now moves to the Senate, where prior efforts to legalize mobile sports betting have stalled in recent years.
This version may be better positioned to advance due to its revised tax structure, dedicated funding for PERS, and provisions aimed at balancing the interests of mobile operators and brick-and-mortar casinos.
Whether those adjustments are enough to secure Senate approval remains to be seen.
If enacted, HB 4074 would give Mississippi residents access to regulated mobile sports betting platforms within state lines, expanding wagering beyond the current retail-only model tied to physical casinos. That would allow bettors to place legal wagers from anywhere in the state, subject to geolocation and age verification requirements.
Legalization would provide consumer protections that are not available on unregulated offshore platforms, including identity verification, responsible gambling safeguards, dispute resolution processes, and state oversight.
As such, bringing in a regulated market would improve consumer protections. It would also ensure tax revenue stays in Mississippi rather than flowing to offshore operators.
If HB 4074 becomes law, national sportsbook operators would seek partnerships with existing Mississippi casinos to launch mobile platforms.
Major brands such as FanDuel and DraftKings are likely to be entrants given their established market presence.
Other emerging platforms like Fanatics Sportsbook would be likely additions as well.
