Mississippi is no longer considering an online sports betting measure in 2024.
House Bill 774, which aimed to authorize online sports betting to the Magnolia State, has died in conference committee ahead of Monday’s deadline to move the measure forward.
Mississippi offers retail sports betting to eligible patrons who now must wait until next year’s legislative session to potentially indulge in regulated online wagering from anywhere in the state.
Earlier this month, HB 774 garnered support in the Senate after members passed the bill with a 36-15-1 vote. The measure was approved in the chamber with a strike-all amendment, which provided no framework for online sports betting. In February, House members also voted in favor of the now-defunct measure by a 97-14 vote.
Loss of potential tax revenue in Mississippi
The original version of HB 774, sponsored by Rep. Casey Eure, authorized up to 26 online wagering licenses that were tied to Mississippi brick-and-mortar casinos. Operators that were awarded an online license in the state under HB 744 saw adjusted gross revenue taxed at a 12% rate. Mississippi had projected the bill could generate up to $35 million in tax revenue annually.
HB 744 called for tax revenue generated for online sports wagering to be allocated toward an emergency road and highway repair fund.
According to data provided by the American Gaming Association, Mississippi casinos and retail sportsbooks generated $180.3 million in total commercial gaming revenue in January 2024, a 10.7% decline year-over-year. That same month, the state posted $6.6 million in taxable revenue from sports betting behind a retail handle of $44.6 million, down 1.7% compared to January 2023.
