Mississippi shows what happens when a state embraces retail betting but holds back on mobile. With official reports from the Gaming Commission, journalists can see how millions in wagers still flow through physical casinos while other states race ahead online. This page compiles those verified figures to expose a market defined as much by what’s missing as by what’s reported.
Revenue Insights
Handle Tops $21.9M
GGR Nears $3.8M
Strong 17.4% Hold
Tax Revenue $418K
Overview of the Mississippi Sports Betting Market
Mississippi, with a population of just under 3 million as of 2024, was one of the earliest adopters of legal sports betting in the post-PASPA era. Retail sportsbooks opened in August 2018, operating under the oversight of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Sports betting is permitted only at licensed casinos, with mobile wagering restricted to on-premises use within those casino properties.
The state’s sports betting framework allows each licensed casino to operate a sportsbook and offer mobile access to patrons on-site as of 2025. More than two dozen retail sportsbooks operate across Mississippi, many located in the state’s coastal and riverfront gaming hubs such as Biloxi, Tunica, and Vicksburg.
Sports betting revenue in Mississippi is taxed at 12%-8% to the state and 4% to local jurisdictions, providing a steady source of funding for public services and infrastructure. This retail-only model, while limiting handle compared to states with complete mobile wagering, has maintained consistent revenue streams and strong engagement from in-person bettors.
The Mississippi Gaming Commission regulates all aspects of sports betting, ensuring compliance with licensing requirements, tax collection, and responsible gambling measures.
Looking for the best sportsbooks in Mississippi? Check out our data-driven sportsbook reviews.
Annual Sports Betting Growth in Mississippi
Data is pulled directly from the Mississippi Gaming Commission Annual Reports
Source:
RG
Monthly Sports Betting Growth in Mississippi
Data is pulled directly from the Mississippi Gaming Commission Monthly Reports
Source:
RG
Mississippi Sports Betting Revenue Performance
Below is a breakdown of Mississippi’s sports betting handle, gross gaming revenue (GGR), hold percentage, and tax revenue from 2018 through 2024, followed by monthly data for 2025.
Yearly Performance
| Year | Handle | Revenue | Hold % | State Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $158,565,586 | $15,175,668 | 9.57% | $1,669,323 |
| 2019 | $369,173,582 | $44,451,372 | 11.58% | $4,889,651 |
| 2020 | $363,775,649 | $43,865,991 | 13.22% | $4,825,259 |
| 2021 | $586,086,026 | $65,868,087 | 10.95% | $7,245,490 |
| 2022 | $531,951,766 | $60,816,325 | 11.61% | $6,689,796 |
| 2023 | $474,275,130 | $51,224,141 | 11.18% | $5,634,656 |
| 2024 | $452,409,770 | $43,344,188 | 9.92% | $4,767,861 |
2025 Year-to-Date
| Month | Handle | GGR | Hold % | State Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | $42,524,280 | $5,083,475 | 11.95% | $559,182 |
| Feb 2025 | $30,544,101 | $1,294,775 | 4.24% | $142,425 |
| Mar 2025 | $34,455,293 | $1,910,770 | 5.55% | $210,185 |
| Apr 2025 | $24,940,446 | $3,689,186 | 14.79% | $405,810 |
| May 2025 | $22,587,837 | $3,412,048 | 15.11% | $375,325 |
| Jun 2025 | $18,173,188 | $2,745,322 | 15.11% | $301,985 |
| Jul 2025 | $15,036,553 | $2,625,778 | 17.46% | $288,835 |
| Aug 2025 | $21,905,769 | $3,804,858 | 17.37% | $418,534 |
| Sept 2025 | $39,110,337.63 | $6,846,454.23 | 17.51% | $753,108.96 |
Latest Updates in the Mississippi Sports Betting Sector
- March 4, 2025: The future of mobile sports betting in Mississippi is uncertain as lawmakers do not believe the bill will pass in the Senate.
- February 3, 2025: Mississippi House passes bill to legalize mobile sports betting.
- April 10, 2024: Caesars Sportsbook launches its mobile wagering app at Harrah’s Gulf Coast in Biloxi, becoming the second operator (after BetMGM) to accept on-premise mobile bets in Mississippi.
- April 2, 2024: A Mississippi sweepstakes-casino bill fails in the Senate after rejecting an amendment to include online sports betting language.
- March 12, 2024: Mississippi House passes mobile sports betting legislation, embedding online-wagering provisions into two bills and sending them to the Senate. (The Clarion-Ledger, 2024)
- September 24, 2021: BetMGM officially launches Mississippi’s first on-site mobile sportsbook app at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, allowing bettors to place mobile wagers while on-premises.
Mississippi Snapshot
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Population | Approximately 2,942,000 residents as of 2025. (World Population Review, 2025) |
| Political Affiliation | Predominantly Republican—President Donald Trump carried the state with 60.9% of the vote in 2024 (versus 38.0% for Biden). Mississippi has voted GOP in every presidential election since 1980. (270towin.com, 2025) |
| Year Sports Betting Legalized | Retail legalized on August 1, 2018, following the Supreme Court’s overturn of PASPA on May 14, 2018. |
| Number of Sportsbooks Operating | Three licensed online sportsbooks are curently able to provide apps accessible on retail casino grounds: BetMGM, Caesars, and Pearl River Sports. |
| Professional Sports Teams | Mississippi hosts no major-league (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) franchises. |
FAQs
General Questions on Mississippi Gambling Market
What are the age and ID requirements to place a wager?
You must be at least 21 years old and present valid, government-issued photo identification (e.g. driver’s license, passport) at the sportsbook cage or kiosk. All patrons are age-verified by the casino before placing any sports bets.
Can I place a bet if I’m visiting from out of state?
Yes—anyone (Mississippi resident or not) can wager at a licensed Mississippi sportsbook, provided they’re physically on casino grounds and meet the age/ID requirements.
Which sports and events am I allowed to wager on?
All major professional and collegiate leagues are available, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football/basketball. High-school sports wagering is prohibited, but every other sanctioned sport or event may be offered.
Can I bet from my mobile device anywhere in the state?
No—while you may download the BetMGM, Caesars, or Pearl River Sports apps anywhere, you may only place mobile wagers inside the footprint of a participating casino or sportsbook lounge.
