Online sweepstakes casinos are under scrutiny in Mississippi as Sen. Joey Fillingane introduces a piece of legislation that proposes a statewide ban on the platforms.
Fillingane has introduced Senate Bill 2510 as a measure that aims to amend Mississippi Code of 1972 to prohibit online, interactive, or computerized online sweepstakes casinos.
“The offering for play or operating an online or interactive platform that offers for play such games within the State of Mississippi shall be deemed unlawful,” said the measure.
In addition to sweepstakes, SB 2510 also bans online sports pools and online racebooks.
Potential penalties in Mississippi
SB 2510 attempts to thwart the availability of online sweepstakes casino-style games by providing significant penalties for any person or entity found guilty of violating state rules.
The bill calls for each violation of its provision to be deemed a felony. For each conviction, a person or entity faces a fine of up to $100,000 and up to 10 years in prison. Entities that are found to violate the rule must be tried in the county in which the violation occurred or in Hinds County. Those who violate the bill’s provisions are also subject to the “forfeiture of assets, rights and privileges used in connection with violations of the provisions.”
Fillingane’s measure also takes into consideration retail gaming operations in the state.
Under SB 2510, law enforcement has the authority to destroy machines and devices that are associated with the offering of online sweepstakes casino-style games. The ban on the online sweepstakes casinos also applies to Mississippi’s riverboat industry.
Fillingane’s bill calls for a ban on online sweepstakes casinos but the measure fails to clearly define “online sweepstakes casino-style games” leading to potential issues.
There is no definition of online sweepstakes in the bill language. Mississippi Gaming Commissioner Executive Director Jay McDaniel believes they are unlawful.
SB 2510, the only gaming-related bill introduced by Fillingane this 2025 legislative session, has been referred to the Judiciary, Division B Committee for further consideration.
Recent sweepstakes legislation
Last week, New Jersey Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese introduced Bill A5196 as a measure that designates sweepstakes casinos and gaming sites as regulated entities.
It defines sweepstakes as “a game that does not require any initial monetary investment on behalf of the participants to play and instead is played primarily with free currency” and “awards to participants at random, as a bundle with the purchase of free currency, or upon the completion of certain specified tasks, currency or promotional gaming credits which can be wagered on games and are redeemable for cash, prizes, or other things of value.”
Bill A5196 calls for sweepstakes to apply for a casino service industry enterprise license. The bill has been referred to the Assembly, Tourism Gaming and the Arts Committee.
