Gambling Laws in Mississippi

Mississippi's gambling laws are a little behind the times due to pressure from religious groups. Still, it is slowly catching up with the recent launch of its lottery and the legalisation of sports betting in the state.

Which Gambling Activities Are Legal in Mississippi?

The Mississippi Code 75-76 and the Mississippi Gaming Control Act 87-1: all detail the state's general legal stance on gambling. Basically, unless a specific type is mentioned, it is illegal.

In reality, Mississippi offers a variety of legal gambling activities, although most forms of online betting are illegal. The Mississippi Gaming Commission oversees and licenses all operations in the state.

Playing Online Casino Games

Casino gambling is legal and the state is home to 29 casinos, both tribal and commercial. Most commercial establishments boast a coastal location and are big-name brands such as Hard Rock and Golden Nugget. Games offered at these venues include Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, Poker and slots.

Online casino gambling is illegal in Mississippi though some of the land-based venues operate apps which offer free slots and social games. Those wishing to play online casino slots and other games via foreign sites can do so with no record of prosecution in the state to date.

Poker Gambling

Playing poker with cash is legal with many existing land-based casino venues offering dedicated rooms. Biloxi is a hotspot for poker gambling, but the WSOP tends to stop at the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica.

Home-based games are not permitted due to the state's laws, which operate on an 'illegal unless otherwise specified' basis. With no exception for such private games.

Online poker gambling is illegal in Mississippi, but players in the state can still get some action via social sites, if only on a play-chips basis.

Bingo Games

Bingo games are permitted by charitable organisations and in commercial casinos. Only a few venues offer these though most notably the Silver Star Hotel and Casino and Golden Moon Hotel and Casino.

Online bingo gambling is illegal in Mississippi, as the law does not specifically provide an exemption for such games.

Lotteries

This is legal in Mississippi, with the bill to launch a state lotto passed in mid-2018. However, due to complications, the first lottery draw tickets were only sold in September 2023. The Mississippi Lottery offers tickets for the popular national draw-based games of Powerball and Mega Millions and its own 3x weekly and 2x daily draws. The operator already sells scratch cards at its numerous retail outlets across the state.

Playing any lotto online is illegal. Those searching online lottery games for real money can find them via the many sites that accept players from the state. This would be deemed illegal, but there are no records to date of residents being prosecuted for doing this.

Social Gambling and Crypto Casinos

Due to the nature of Mississippi's gambling laws, poker games played within private residences are not permitted. The only form of social gambling legal in the state is that offered by apps which operate with play chips.

Modern forms of gambling, such as lootboxes and skins gambling have yet to be accurately defined, with much ongoing debate on the matter.

Mississippi recently passed a bill permitting crypto mining operations, but none of the existing gambling venues currently accept Bitcoin or altcoins as a form of payment. Those looking for online games to play can find them at crypto gambling sites, although state laws would technically classify this as illegal.

Mississippi Sports Betting Laws

Sports betting is legal with most of the state's casinos offering their own sports betting markets, including horse and greyhound racing. The relatively recent laws do not permit online sports betting though.

Daily Fantasy Sports contests were legalised in 2016. Top sites, including DraftKings and FanDuel, offer betting on such events in the state.

Gambling Age Restrictions

The Mississippi minimum age to gamble is 21 years old for almost all forms of gambling, including casino games and the state lottery. However, those aged 18 or over can legally play charitable bingo.

Tax Regulation on Gambling Winnings in Mississippi

Mississippi gambling tax regulation requires gambling winnings to be taxed alongside income at 3%, which is withheld at source. This is in addition to the 24% tax on gambling winnings that is withheld at the federal level.

A Brief History of Gambling Laws

Gambling in Mississippi dates back to before the inclusion of the state in the US, with horse race betting common amongst early settlers in the 1800s. After pressure from religious groups, gambling was forced underground in a statewide ban from the 1950s.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 allowed tribes to operate casinos on their reservations. 

The Mississippi Gaming Control Act of 1990 permitted the operation of dockside casinos.

Between 2012 and 2015, online poker bills were presented four times, but none were passed.

Daily fantasy sports contests were legalised in Mississippi in 2016 and sports betting followed in 2017.

Lottery gambling was permitted in 2018, with the Mississippi Lottery selling draw tickets from 2023.

Key Facts

• Casino gambling is legal, with the state home to 29 tribal and commercial casinos.

• Online casino gambling is illegal.

• Poker gambling is legal, but online poker is illegal.

• Bingo gambling is legal and offered by charitable organisations and commercial casinos.

• Online bingo gambling is illegal.

• Lottery gambling is legal though online lottos remain illegal.

• Sports betting is legal in Mississippi, with many casinos running sportsbooks.

• Online sports betting is illegal.

• Daily fantasy sports betting is the only legal form of online gambling in Mississippi.