Sports Betting in Mississippi: Complete 2026 Guide

The Legal Landscape of Sports Betting in Mississippi\n\nMississippi has a rich history with gambling, being one of the first states to embrace riverboat and land-based casinos. This forward-thinking approach extended to sports betting in August 2018, when Mississippi became one of the first states outside of Nevada to accept legal sports wagers. This was a direct result of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).\n\nHowever, there's a significant caveat to Mississippi's sports betting law: it is currently retail-only. This means that all sports bets must be placed in person at a licensed casino. While many of these casinos have developed their own mobile apps, these apps are geofenced and can only be used while you are physically on the casino's property. This on-premise mobile betting provides a more convenient experience than waiting in line at a betting window, but it does not offer the full flexibility of statewide online sports betting that is available in many other states.\n\nFor several years, there has been a legislative push to legalize statewide online and mobile sports betting. In February 2026, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed House Bill 1581, which would legalize online sports betting. This marks the third consecutive year that the House has passed such a bill, but it has consistently faced opposition in the Senate. The primary concerns from opponents have been the potential for increased problem gambling and the impact on the state's brick-and-mortar casinos. As of early 2026, the future of online sports betting in Mississippi remains uncertain, but the repeated efforts in the legislature suggest that it is a matter of 'when', not 'if'.\n\n## Available Sportsbooks in Mississippi\n\nSince sports betting in Mississippi is tied to its physical casinos, you'll find a variety of sportsbooks located throughout the state. Many of the nation's leading sportsbook operators have partnered with Mississippi casinos to offer their services. Here are some of the most prominent sportsbooks available in Mississippi:\n\n* BetMGM: BetMGM has a significant presence in Mississippi through its partnerships with the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi and the Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica. The BetMGM Book Bar & Grill at both locations offers a premier sports betting experience with dozens of HDTVs, a comfortable lounge environment, and a full-service bar and restaurant.\n* Caesars Sportsbook: Caesars Entertainment operates the Harrah's Gulf Coast in Biloxi and the Horseshoe Tunica. Both locations feature a Caesars Sportsbook, known for its user-friendly interface and extensive betting options.\n* FanDuel Sportsbook: While FanDuel is a giant in the online sports betting world, its presence in Mississippi is limited to retail locations. You can find FanDuel Sportsbooks at the IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi and the Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Tunica.\n* Other Notable Sportsbooks: Many other casinos in Mississippi have their own branded sportsbooks or have partnered with other operators. Some of these include the Pearl River Resort (which has its own sportsbook), the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi, and the various casinos operated by Penn National Gaming (which often feature Barstool Sportsbooks).\n\nWhen visiting a Mississippi sportsbook, you can expect a high-quality experience. These are not just small betting windows tucked away in a corner of the casino. Most are expansive, modern facilities designed to be a destination for sports fans. They typically feature large video walls, numerous betting kiosks, and comfortable seating areas where you can watch the games you've bet on.\n\n## Types of Bets Available\n\nMississippi sportsbooks offer a wide array of betting options, comparable to what you would find in any other mature sports betting market. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or new to the game, you'll find a bet type that suits your style. Here are some of the most common types of bets you can place in Mississippi:\n\n* Moneyline: The simplest form of sports betting, where you are simply picking the winner of a game or match. The odds are expressed as a positive or negative number, indicating the underdog and the favorite.\n* Point Spread: This is the most popular way to bet on football and basketball. The favorite is given a handicap, and you bet on whether they will win by more than the spread, or if the underdog will lose by less than the spread or win outright.\n* Totals (Over/Under): The sportsbook will set a total number of points, goals, or runs for a game, and you bet on whether the final combined score will be over or under that number.\n* Parlays: A parlay is a single bet that links together two or more individual wagers. For the parlay to win, all of the individual wagers must win. The allure of parlays is the high potential payout, but they are also much more difficult to win.\n* Teasers: A teaser is a type of parlay where you can adjust the point spread or total in your favor in exchange for a lower payout.\n* Futures: A futures bet is a wager on an event that will happen in the future, such as which team will win the Super Bowl or the World Series.\n* Prop Bets: Proposition bets, or prop bets, are wagers on events within a game that do not necessarily affect the final outcome. This could be anything from which player will score the first touchdown to how many strikeouts a pitcher will have.\n* Live Betting: Also known as in-game betting, this allows you to place bets on a game while it is in progress. The odds and lines are constantly updated in real-time based on what is happening in the game.\n\n## Tax Implications for Winnings\n\nIn Mississippi, as in the rest of the United States, gambling winnings are considered taxable income. This applies to all forms of gambling, including sports betting. The federal government requires you to report all gambling winnings, and you may be required to pay federal income tax on them.\n\nFor larger wins, the casino or sportsbook may be required to issue you a Form W-2G. This will typically happen if you win $600 or more and the payout is at least 300 times your original wager. If you receive a W-2G, a copy will also be sent to the IRS.\n\nIn addition to federal taxes, Mississippi also has a state income tax on gambling winnings. The state imposes a 3% tax on all gambling winnings, which is typically withheld by the casino at the time of payout. This is a non-refundable tax, meaning you cannot get it back even if you have a net gambling loss for the year.\n\nIt is highly recommended that you keep detailed records of your sports betting activity, including both your wins and your losses. You can deduct your gambling losses on your federal tax return, but only up to the amount of your winnings. You cannot, however, deduct your gambling losses on your Mississippi state tax return.\n\n## Mobile vs. Retail Betting Options\n\nAs we've discussed, the primary distinction in Mississippi's sports betting market is the lack of statewide mobile betting. This creates a different experience for bettors compared to states with fully legalized online sports betting.\n\nRetail Betting:\n\n* Pros: The social experience of a retail sportsbook is a major draw for many people. You can watch the games with other fans, enjoy food and drinks, and cash your winning tickets instantly. The sportsbooks in Mississippi are often impressive, state-of-the-art facilities.\n* Cons: The biggest drawback is the inconvenience. You have to physically travel to a casino to place your bets. This can be a significant hurdle for those who do not live near a casino. It also means you cannot place bets on the go or react to news and line movements in real-time unless you are at the casino.\n\nOn-Premise Mobile Betting:\n\n* Pros: This offers a convenient middle ground. Once you are at the casino, you can use a mobile app to place your bets from anywhere on the property. This means you can bet from your hotel room, a restaurant, or by the pool. It also gives you access to the full range of betting options, including live betting, without having to be in the sportsbook itself.\n* Cons: The obvious limitation is that you still have to be at the casino. The geofencing technology is very precise, and the app will not work once you leave the casino's property.\n\nThe Future of Mobile Betting:\n\nIf Mississippi does legalize statewide mobile sports betting, it will be a game-changer for the state's sports betting market. It will provide a much more convenient and accessible way for people to bet on sports. It will also likely lead to a more competitive market, with online-only sportsbooks entering the state and offering a variety of promotions and bonuses to attract customers.\n\n## Tips for Bettors in Mississippi\n\n* Shop Around: With over 20 casinos in Mississippi, you have a lot of options. If you're serious about sports betting, it's worth visiting a few different sportsbooks to see which one you like best. They may have different odds, promotions, and amenities.\n* Sign Up for a Player's Card: Every casino has a loyalty program, and you should definitely sign up for a player's card. You'll earn points and rewards for your sports betting activity, which can be redeemed for free play, food, hotel stays, and other perks.\n* Take Advantage of On-Premise Mobile Apps: If you're going to be spending some time at a casino, be sure to download their on-premise mobile betting app. It's a much more convenient way to bet than waiting in line at the counter.\n* Do Your Research: Don't just bet on your favorite team. Do your research and make informed decisions. There is a wealth of information available online, from sports news and analysis to betting trends and statistics.\n* Manage Your Bankroll: This is the most important tip for any sports bettor. Decide how much money you are willing to risk, and never bet more than you can afford to lose. It's a good idea to have a separate bankroll for your sports betting activities.\n\n## Responsible Gaming Resources\n\nGambling can be a fun and exciting form of entertainment, but it's important to do so responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, there are resources available to help.\n\n* The Mississippi Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling: This organization provides a 24-hour confidential helpline at 1-888-777-5902. They can provide information, support, and referrals to treatment programs.\n* The National Council on Problem Gambling: This is a national organization that also offers a confidential helpline at 1-800-522-4700.\n* Self-Exclusion Programs: The Mississippi Gaming Commission offers a self-exclusion program that allows you to voluntarily ban yourself from all casinos in the state. You can find more information about this program on the Gaming Commission's website.\n\nMost sportsbooks and casinos in Mississippi also have their own responsible gaming programs. They can provide you with information about setting limits on your betting activity, and they can also help you to self-exclude from their property. If you feel like your gambling is becoming a problem, don't hesitate to reach out for help.