Sports Betting Could Be Coming to Mississippi Soon

HATTIESBURG, MISS. - Monday, the United States Supreme Court overturned The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, which banned state-sponsored wagers on sporting events.

Two years prior to Monday’s ruling, Mississippi took a bill to address "sports betting" within the state.

“In that bill, there was language that basically took out the prohibition of sports betting in Mississippi,” State Senator, Joey Fillingane said. However, with the federal laws in place, this bill did not have any effect. “But, now that the Supreme Court has said that the federal law is unconstitutional, it removes that barrier,” Fillingane said. “So, other states like New Jersey, Mississippi, Oklahoma and serval other states are now moving forward with allowing sports betting in their casinos.” In approximately in 45 days Mississippians could be placing bets on any sporting event. Senator Fillingane feels optimistic about what this could do for the state's economy. “So now, with this change, it can be done legally and publicly in one of the casinos, and as a result, the state's taxing laws would apply to the revenue this generates as well,” Fillingane said. “So, there would be some revenue to the casinos, some revenue to the state, and some revenue shared with the county the casinos are regulated in. “ Sports betting could start as early as the beginning of July.