As Mississippi lawmakers debate the potential expansion of gambling, a unified voice from both voters and casino operators strongly opposes the legalization of online sports betting (OSB) and iGaming. New polling data and a formal letter from the state’s casino industry highlight significant resistance to expanding online gambling options in the Magnolia State.

Voters and Casinos Reject Expansion of Online Gambling in Mississippi

In January, the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) commissioned polling that reveals widespread opposition among Mississippi voters. Nearly 75% of those surveyed (74.2%) expressed disapproval of legalizing mobile sports betting, particularly when they learned it would allow statewide betting through smartphones and other devices. Opposition to iGaming, which would enable 24/7 access to casino-style games, was even more pronounced, with 80.8% of respondents against it after hearing more about the proposal.

This public sentiment is echoed by a coalition of Mississippi’s prominent casino operators, including the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Pearl River Resorts, who delivered a letter to state leadership on January 21. The coalition warned that legalizing OSB and iGaming would undermine billions of dollars in capital investments made by the state’s traditional casinos and jeopardize local jobs that have been a fixture of the state’s economy since 1992.

Economic Concerns and Job Protection

The casino coalition raised several economic concerns in their letter, emphasizing that expanding online gambling would harm both the state’s casino revenue and job market. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar casinos, where revenue is reinvested in local economies, online sports betting would allow out-of-state operators to collect corporate overhead first, leaving only a small portion for in-state partners. This shift could result in significant job losses, particularly in the hospitality sector, as mobile betting reduces foot traffic to physical casinos.

The coalition also criticized the projected financial benefits of online gambling. They estimate that online sports betting would only generate $11 million in tax revenue annually, a figure they consider insignificant compared to Mississippi’s $7 billion state budget. They argue that such a minimal gain is not worth the risk of undermining the state’s existing gaming industry and the jobs it supports.

Beyond the economic concerns, the coalition pointed to public health issues associated with the legalization of online gambling. Research from other states that have legalized OSB reveals troubling trends, including a 67% increase in gambling addiction-related searches and a 30% rise in bankruptcies among low-savings households. States that have adopted online sports betting saw a dramatic 372% increase in irresponsible gambling behavior, further alarming local leaders.

“The people of Mississippi are speaking clearly: they value their communities, their local jobs, and their families more than the minimal tax revenue promised by out-of-state tech companies,” the letter concluded.

Widespread Opposition Across Mississippi

As reported by PR Newswire, polling conducted by the Bradley Research Group for NAAiG further reinforced these concerns. The survey, which reached over 4,200 registered voters, found a consistent majority opposed to the expansion of online gambling, with 74.2% of respondents rejecting mobile sports betting and 80.8% opposing iGaming. Opposition was uniform across Mississippi’s congressional districts and demographic groups, underlining the statewide resistance to the proposals.

The casino operators opposing the expansion of online gambling also emphasized their long-term investments in Mississippi. These operators, who own an average of 55% of their properties in the state, have a much deeper stake in the local economy than those supporting online expansion, who own an average of just 22% of their Mississippi-based properties.

The letter also highlighted the risk of gambling addiction, noting that states with legalized online sports betting have seen a sharp rise in problem gambling. The coalition’s opposition is grounded not only in economic concerns but also in the potential for increased social harm, including a surge in addiction-related issues.

Despite the resistance to online gambling expansion, some lawmakers argue that it could provide a much-needed boost to Mississippi’s tax revenue. However, a comparison with Kansas, which legalized mobile sports betting in 2022, paints a different picture. Despite a three-year head start, Mississippi’s total sports betting handle stood at $3.29 billion as of 2023, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) around $352.6 million. In contrast, Kansas, a similarly sized state, reported a total sports betting handle of nearly $8 billion, with GGR of $740.5 million.

Mississippi’s retail sports betting industry, which launched in 2018, has seen steady growth, with the state reporting over $35 million in GGR from retail sports betting in December 2023. However, proponents of online gambling argue that Mississippi could see a revenue boost similar to Kansas’s experience if it expands to mobile wagering.