Analyzing Mississippi Sports Betting Revenue Insights of 2025

7 min read

Overview of the Mississippi Sports Betting Market

Since its debut on August 1, 2018, Mississippi has offered retail-only sports wagering at licensed land-based casinos, with mobile bets permitted solely within casino or sportsbook premises. Today, three mobile apps—BetMGM Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, and the local Pearl River Sports—are the only platforms accessible to bettors on-site in the state.

Market Performance Highlights (2018–2024)
  • Handle growth: From approximately $18.3 million in 2018 (launch year) up to a peak of $109.3 million in 2021, settling at $97.6 million in 2024.
  • Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR): Climbed from $2.47 million in 2018 to a high of $16.6 million in 2021, with $11.7 million recorded in 2024.
  • Hold percentages: Varied widely—about 28.0% in 2018; dipped to ~15–16% over most of the 2019–2023 period; settled at 12.6% in 2024.
  • Tax contributions: They increased from $271 K in 2018 to $1.83 M in 2021, then modestly declined to $1.29 M in 2024, thanks to the reduced hold rate.

Upcoming Mobile Expansion (Effective December 8, 2025)
In February 2025, the Mississippi House Gaming Committee overwhelmingly approved a revised Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act. Under this new law, digital operators—including DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook—must affiliate with brick-and-mortar casinos to offer statewide mobile sports betting, with platforms slated to go live in December 2025.

Legislative Concerns
During debates over the mobile-wagering legislation, lawmakers voiced worry that major operators would concentrate partnerships—and thus revenue—at the Gulf Coast’s largest casinos, leaving smaller, inland venues shut out of the mobile-betting boom.

Financial data presented on this page is pulled directly from the Mississippi Gaming Commission's monthly and annual reports. This is the ONLY data you can trust!
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Mississippi

Annual Sports Betting Growth in Mississippi

The Mississippi Gaming Commission publishes data on its retail sports wagering financials, including Total Handle and Total Tax Revenue. Data is pulled directly from the Commission's annual reports.

Source:

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Monthly Sports Betting Growth in Mississippi

2024

The Mississippi Gaming Commission publishes data on its retail sports wagering financials, including Total Handle and Total Tax Revenue. Data is pulled directly from the Commission's annual reports.

Source:

RG

Embed Chart

MIssissippi's Sports Betting Handle Performance

In 2024, Mississippi’s retail-only sports wagering market handled $97.6 million, produced $11.7 million in GGR, and generated $1.29 million in state taxes. While smaller than many U.S. jurisdictions, these figures present consistent bettor engagement within casino walls.

Established Operators
Only three mobile sportsbook apps—BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, and Pearl River Sports—are authorized for on-premises use at Mississippi’s land-based casinos. Under the Mississippi Gaming Commission’s oversight, each operator adheres to strict consumer-protection guidelines and transparent reporting requirements.

Positioned for Sustainable Growth
Mississippi’s cautious, land-based approach has yielded steady growth and reliable tax revenues. With mobile wagering on the horizon and new partnership requirements set to include Gulf Coast resorts and smaller inland venues, the market is well-positioned for measured expansion in handle and state revenue.

Latest Updates in the Mississippi Sports Betting Sector

  • March 12, 2025: Mississippi House passes mobile sports betting legislation, embedding online-wagering provisions into two bills and sending them to the Senate. (The Clarion-Ledger, 2025)
  • April 2, 2025: A Mississippi sweepstakes-casino bill fails in the Senate after rejecting an amendment to include online sports betting language.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Professional Sports Teams in Mississippi

Mississippi has one active affiliated minor-league team—the Biloxi Shuckers, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, which has been playing at Keesler Federal Park since 2015. From 2005 through the end of the 2024 season, Pearl hosted the Mississippi Braves, the Atlanta Braves' Double-A affiliate, before that franchise relocated to Columbus, Georgia.

College Sports
Beyond the minors, college athletics are Mississippi’s biggest sports draw. The Ole Miss Rebels and Mississippi State Bulldogs, both Southeastern Conference programs, command statewide attention, especially their football matchups like the annual “Egg Bowl” rivalry, which ranks among the state’s most heavily wagered collegiate events. Both universities’ men’s basketball teams also make regular NCAA Tournament appearances, further driving in-state sports betting activity.

Mississippi Snapshot

Key AspectDetails
PopulationApproximately 2,942,000 residents as of 2024. (World Population Review, 2024)
Political AffiliationPredominantly 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, 2024)
Year Sports Betting LegalizedRetail legalized on August 1, 2018, following the Supreme Court’s overturn of PASPA on May 14, 2018.
Number of Sportsbooks OperatingThree licensed online sportsbooks are curently able to provide apps accessible on retail casino grounds: BetMGM, Caesars, and Pearl River Sports.
Sports Betting Handle$97,609,386.74 total handle in 2024
Professional Sports TeamsMississippi hosts no major-league (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) franchises. Its primary affiliated minor-league team is the Biloxi Shuckers (Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers), and college athletics—especially the Ole Miss Rebels and Mississippi State Bulldogs—drive much of the state’s sports-betting interest.

FAQs on Mississippi Sports Betting Revenue

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.