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Casino, Mississippi

MS Casinos Are Given the Green Light to Reopen

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

More states around the country are beginning to reopen. For weeks, officials in Mississippi have discussed ways to safely reopen casinos. As many already know, this is easier said than done. Fortunately, MS casinos have just been given the green light to reopen to the public.Mississippi

It’s great news for casino companies and gambling fans in the state. Some of the biggest gaming venues in Mississippi will soon accept players. Today, we’re going to look at the road to reopen Mississippi’s casinos and discuss what measures will be taken to ensure safety.

Let’s get into it!

Officials in Mississippi Change Tune on Casino Plans

Back in mid-March, casino companies received an order they never expected. Each of them was forced to shut down their venues to the public. Cases of Covid-19 had begun to appear around Mississippi and many state officials felt casinos were ideal places for the virus to spread.

It was unclear at that time how long the state’s casinos would stay closed for. As the weeks went on, the impact of these closures got worse. As many know, MS casinos employ tens of thousands of people and bring the state a huge amount of revenue every single month.

Calls to reopen these gambling venues increased. Eventually, Governor Tate Reeves claimed that the state’s casinos would reopen by Memorial Day. To the disappointment of many, he then backtracked on that statement and claimed it may take longer than initially expected.

Mississippi has one of the largest casino industries in the country. The gambling venues here help to boost tourism and provide money to many local communities. It’s no surprise that so many are pushing to get this industry back up and running.

Fortunately, things seem likely to improve here. It appears that the state gambling commission has approved a set of regulations to reopen casinos. Here’s what we know about this situation.

MS Casinos Set to Open On May 21st

Just about every state around the country is finding it incredibly difficult to safely reopen casinos. That includes Nevada, which is losing an incredible amount of money every single day due to these regulations. It now appears that Mississippi is set to reopen its gambling venues later this month.

According to new reports, the Mississippi Gaming Commission has approved casinos to open up on May 21st. Governor Reeves spoke to the media about these plans. He claims it was never his decision to shut down the state’s casinos.

“No executive order was ever signed that shut down the casinos by the governor,” Reeves said. “I would go ahead and start planning now.”

Reeves went on to claim that MS casinos should be making preparations to reopen right now. Several casino owners here have already voiced their excitement about this news. Most agree, however, that the casinos here won’t look the same as they did just a few months ago.

All of MS casinos will start requiring staff to wear face masks. Temperature checks may also be required. Social distancing measures will also be set in place. Based on what’s happening in other states, it seems likely that Mississippi’s casinos will be successful.

More States Begin Allowing Casinos to Reopen

Mississippi isn’t the only state that’s gearing up to reopen casinos. Many states around the country have been working on plans to get their gambling industries back in place. That includes Oklahoma, where casinos have officially been able to start operating again.

Several of the casinos in Oklahoma started reopening this week. That includes the Thunderbird Casino in Shawnee. To the surprise of some, hundreds of individuals waited in line to play inside this casino, despite the measures set in place.

Las Vegas casinos may be only a few weeks from reopening, as well. Not long ago, the Nevada Gaming Commission approved a set of guidelines to reopen the state’s gambling venues. Several of the biggest casino companies including MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts have announced they plan to open their casinos next month.

No one really knows how much revenue these Las Vegas casinos will manage to generate. It may be years before they are able to completely return to normal. Hope is that enough money is made to help the city recover from the past few months.

MS casinos are scheduled to open next week. Do you think they’ll end up drawing in players? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Casino, Mississippi

Gov. Reeves Changes His Tune on MS Casino Openings

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

Mississippi has one of the biggest casino industries in the United States. Not long ago, Governor Tate Reeves announced that he planned to open the state’s casinos by Memorial Day. Unfortunately, Reeves is now changing his tune on MS casino openings.Mississippi

It seems health experts have informed the governor about the dangers of opening casinos too early. This isn’t going to sit well with casino companies here, many of whom have been preparing for an upcoming opening date. Today, we’re going to look at why Governor Reeves is taking this new stance.

Let’s get into it!

Mississippi’s Casino Industry Remains Shut Down

When most people think of US gambling hubs, cities such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City usually come to mind. Some are surprised to find that Mississippi actually has one of the largest and most successful casino industries in the country. A huge number of coastal casinos are located here, most of which bring in a huge amount of revenue every month.

At the start of this year, gambling revenue in Mississippi was surging. Many predicted that 2020 would be one of the best years in history for casinos here. Unfortunately, things completely changed in March.

Lawmakers in the state decided to shut down all casinos that month. As the new coronavirus began spreading around the country, different state officials determined that casinos pose too much of a risk for major infection spread. No one could say when these gambling venues would be allowed to open once again.

Governor Tate Reeves recently gave casino companies something to get excited about. He offered a plan for MS casino openings and claimed these venues would be allowed to accept guests by Memorial Day. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case.

Many states are currently looking at ways to open their gambling industries. Some are finding some relief with regulated online gambling revenue. Here’s what Mississippi’s Governor now has planned for casinos in this state.

Governor Reeves is Changing His Plan for MS Casino Openings

Closing down casinos was necessary to prevent major Covid-19 outbreaks. Unfortunately, this decision is having a massive effect on the entire state. As many are well-aware of, thousands of Mississippi residents are employed in the gambling industry. Most of these people are now out of work.

Casinos here also help to bring the state valuable revenue. They promote tourism, which in turn helps many other state businesses. It’s no surprise that so many people here are now asking for an update on when casinos in the state will reopen.

Governor Reeves recently claimed that casinos in the state would open by Memorial Day. He’s now beginning to change his tune. That doesn’t mean these MS casino openings are impossible by the end of this month. Reeves is just hesitant to confirm this date.

“It’s certainly possible,” Reeves said about casinos opening by Memorial Day. “It is something that I am interested in looking into and doing. There’s a lot of different guidelines the regulators, the industry, my team and the health team are looking at if we reopen casinos, and we will, I committed to myself on day one that we’re going to make a decision based on what is best for Mississippi residents every single time.”

When MS casino openings do take place, the state’s gambling venues won’t look the same way they did earlier this year. There will be strict social distancing measures set in place throughout all casinos. This includes limited seats at tables and more space between slot machines.

It’s a difficult situation. Mississippi isn’t the only state that’s looking at new ways to reopen casinos, though.

More States Work to Relaunch Gambling Industries

Many different industries around the country are taking a hit right now. The casino industry might be the hardest-hit. All casinos around the country are shut down and revenue has completely stopped coming in.

Some parts of the country are being hit harder than others. Las Vegas, in particular, is losing an incredible amount of revenue right now. Tourism has completely stopped in this city and many of the casinos here are losing millions of dollars every single day.

Obviously, many are now calling for casinos in Las Vegas to reopen. Governor Sisolak is extremely hesitant to do so, claiming it would pose too serious of a health risk. It’s still unclear when exactly things will start getting back to normal here.

Atlantic City is taking a major hit, as well. Several bills were recently presented here to help casino companies. Interestingly, some city leaders feel these bills will not benefit residents of Atlantic City.

It’s a tough time for the land-based gambling industry. Based on the way things are going, MS casino opening may not take place for at least a few more weeks. We’ll need to wait for another update from Governor Reeves.

Stay tuned for more Mississippi casino news!

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Casino, Mississippi

Here’s an Update on Mississippi’s Casino Plans

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

Mississippi River Boat CasinoMississippi is home to one of the largest casino industries in the United States. For more than a month, however, all of the casinos in this state have been shut down. This week, Governor Tate Reeves offered an update on Mississippi’s casino plans.

It appears we may be just a few weeks away from seeing all of this state’s casinos open back up. That’s great news for gambling fans and the owners of these properties. Here’s what we know about this situation.

Casino Revenue in Mississippi Fell Quickly in March

Back in January, the first cases of COVID-19 began appearing in the United States. As the weeks went on, this new coronavirus began spreading throughout the country. Many states began shutting down all non-essential businesses as a way to prevent major surges in infections.

On March 16th, officials in Mississippi decided to take the same route. Governor Reeves announced that all casinos in the state were being forced to shut down. This was an unprecedented move, as these casinos employ thousands and help to bring valuable revenue to many parts of the state.

Reports just recently surfaced that show how much money was really lost here. According to the Mississippi Gaming Commission, casino revenue here fell by 50% last month. These gambling venues earned just $67 million in the few weeks they were open. In March of 2019, casinos in the state brought in $124 million.

Of course, these venues likely earned almost no money in April. Casinos here were shut down for the entire month. How exactly that will affect the state economy is unknown.

Many have called for the casinos in Mississippi to open back up. That includes several major casino companies, some of which are losing millions of dollars every week due to the regulations. Fortunately for these companies, casinos in the state may open back up within the next few weeks.

Governor Reeves Offers an Update on Mississippi’s Casino Plans

Several states around the country are now beginning to open back up. That includes Georgia, which is appearing to see a spike in COVID-19 cases. Interestingly, more states are now making preparations to open up different businesses.

Casinos are some of the toughest venues to reopen to the public. Generally speaking, these venues feature a large number of individuals packed into a relatively small area. They are perfect places for a virus to spread. As a result, many casino owners are making changes to ensure these venues are as safe as possible.

This week, Governor Tate Reeves claimed that casinos will likely be open by Memorial Day. He seems to agree with casino owners that it’s time to reopen the state economy.

John Ferrucci, general manager at Silver Slipper in Hancock County, was one of the first casino officials to hear about the update on Mississippi’s casino plans. He revealed some of the preparations his casino is making to ensure public safety.

“We’re excited about it and I’m glad the word is getting out today,” he said. “We’re not going to have table games probably the first weekend.”

All casinos in the state will be forced to make changes. It’s almost guaranteed that masks will be required by guests and dealers. Many also expect tables to limit the number of players. Hopefully, these venues are able to bring the state money once they finally reopen.

Las Vegas Casinos Will Remain Closed for Weeks

Over the past month, we’ve reported on the Las Vegas casino closures. The decision to close casinos here has been a major source of controversy, as the city relies heavily on its gambling industry. It’s still unclear when these gambling venues will be allowed to reopen.

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman has publicly ridiculed the current restrictions. She called them “total insanity.” When pressed by Anderson Cooper about how to safely reopen Las Vegas, however, she did not seem to have a clear answer.

Earlier this week, Governor Steve Sisolak decided to extend the state’s stay-at-home measures. He believes Nevada is not quite past the peak of infections. It appears he also feels it’s too early to allow visitors to gamble inside casinos.

Many casinos in this state are already preparing to open back to the public. Recently, news surfaced that MGM’s Bellagio and New York New York properties are likely to be the first to reopen. There is still no clear answer on when exactly this will take place, though.

It’s a very interesting time for the entire US casino industry. With the update on Mississippi’s casino plans, it looks like this state may be the first to reopen gaming venues. Officials in Las Vegas will be looking very closely at how this ends up working out.

Are you surprised to hear that Mississippi is opening casinos again? When do you think Las Vegas will begin to reopen? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Casino, Mississippi, news

All Mississippi Casinos Close Due to Coronavirus Fears

James MurrayBy James Murray

Mississippi is the newest state to introduce additional regulations for land-based casinos. Soon, all of the state’s gambling venues are closing their doors to the public. It’s tough news for casino operators here, many of whom contribute massively to the state economy.Mississippi State Seal

It’s not entirely surprising. Casinos all around the country are being forced to shut down. In some areas, bars and restaurants are closing, as well. Today, we’re going to discuss how these new casino rules will affect Mississippi.

States Continue to Set Regulations For Covid-19

In just a few days, the rates of Covid-19 have skyrocketed in the United States. Due to a lack of testing options, it’s likely that the true number of infected individuals is considerably higher. There’s really no way of knowing, which has led to the virus’ spread around the country.

Over the past 24 hours, a huge number of new regulations have been set in place. California, in particular, is announcing some of the heaviest restrictions. In the San Francisco Bay Area, individuals are now required by law to stay in their homes.

Nevada is also being hit hard. Recently, all major casino resorts were forced to close here. It’s devastating to the state’s economy, which relies heavily on tourism and gambling.

New York is also taking strict measures. Here, all schools have been officially shut down. Governor Cuomo has also required all of the state’s casinos to shut down.

Every few minutes, new regulations are being announced. Several measures are also being considered by the federal government. This includes a ban on domestic travel and closing the north and south borders. We’ll need to wait and see how things escalate over the next few days.

Mississippi Casinos Are Closing to the Public This Week

Mississippi is known for having a large and successful casino industry. All of the state’s gambling venues are located on the coast. Today, news broke that all of the state’s gaming venues are officially being closed down.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission has ordered all casinos in the state to shut down. It’s still unclear when these venues will open back up.

Bill Hornbuckle, MGM Chief Operating Officer and President, spoke to the media about the situation earlier today.

“We will work to mitigate the impact this will have on our employees, partners and communities,” he said. “We will continue monitoring the situation and announce plans for reopening when appropriate.”

Mississippi is now one of many states to officially close down all casinos. The entire US land-based gambling industry is taking a serious hit. Unsurprisingly, many individuals are now choosing to make their bets online.

Online Gambling Options Available in Mississippi

The casinos in Mississippi are hugely popular with both locals and tourists. Some of these gambling venues are owned by major Las Vegas-based casino companies including MGM Resorts International. The closure of these venues will be devastating for these companies.

Fortunately for gambling fans in this state, there are still a huge number of fantastic Mississippi casino sites operating. One of the most popular is Bovada. This site offers a wide range of fantastic games and safe, easy payment options.

Members of this site can find just about all casino games including blackjack, roulette, and poker. There are also some great sport wagering options available through Bovada. Many sports leagues have been suspended, yet odds on the events still taking place are available!

There are many fantastic online casino options in Mississippi right now. Feel free to check out Bovada today to see all of the games being offered here. It may be months before any land-based Mississippi casinos open again.

This is a tough time around the world. Unfortunately, the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. Stay tuned for more US casino news over the next few months!

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Mississippi

Mississippi Ranks #3 in Top Gambling States in the US

Joy NoelBy Joy Noel

Mississippi Flag, Poker Cards Pile
According to the American Gaming Association, Mississippi is one of the top gambling states in the entire country, taking third place after Oklahoma, in second place, and Nevada, in first place.

Using data from the American Gaming association (americangaming.org), here is a closer look at the average amount gambled by resident per year, by state in alphabetical order:

  • Arizona – $265
  • California – $211
  • Colorado – $281
  • Connecticut – $236
  • Delaware – $447
  • Florida – $147
  • Idaho – $89
  • Illinois – $108
  • Indiana – $335
  • Iowa – $510
  • Kansas – $229
  • Louisiana – $674
  • Maine – $107
  • Maryland – $290
  • Massachusetts – $40
  • Michigan – $286
  • Minnesota – $269
  • Mississippi – $717
  • Missouri – $286
  • Montana – $250
  • Nevada – $3,928
  • New Jersey – $326
  • New Mexico – $525
  • New York – $179
  • North Dakota – $320
  • Ohio – $159
  • Oklahoma – $1,141
  • Oregon – $263
  • Pennsylvania – $254
  • Rhode Island -$620
  • South Dakota – $288
  • Washington – $336
  • West Virginia – $345
  • Wisconsin – $229

Why is Gambling in Mississippi So Popular?

For one, Mississippi is currently the only state in the Southeastern Conference where sports fan can legally bet on football or basketball. Since the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court lifted the ban on sports betting across the states, Mississippi was essentially given a monopoly on sports betting in the South.

Couple that sports betting monopoly with the overwhelming number of people who love college sports in the state, and you have a winning recipe for gambling success.

“I vastly underestimated the love of college sports down here,” said Kathryn Lopez, sport book manager at Golden Nugget Biloxi, who moved from Las Vegas to Biloxi.

Will Hall, director of the sports book at the Beau Rivage, said that Mississippi’s prime location also makes it a draw for bettors, saying that the state is smack dab in the middle of the SEC school action, making for more passionate fans. According to him, “College football is 11 in the morning to 10 o’clock at night,” in the Southern state.

Betting is in Mississippi’s Bones

Even before the official legalization of sports betting in the state, Biloxi has had a drawn-out history of bookies and fantasy sports participation.

“People in this area knew how to bet,” said Chett Harrison, general manager of Golden Nugget Biloxi.

When you get people who know how to bet, and you factor out the time needed to master the learning curve, you pretty much have players who are ready from the get-go to lay down their dollars.

What’s Next for Gambling in the State?

Currently, gambling in the state in only allowed on-site at the state’s 39 casinos. Electronic mobile sports betting is permitted, but it must be on the grounds of a casino. While a bill was introduced to legalize mobile wagering outside of casinos, the bill went without a hearing and died out last February.

As of last November, the Biloxi Capital firm, which includes Coast developer Danny Conwill, is looking to turn the old Tivoli Hotel into East Biloxi’s newest $600 million casino resort. It lays on a 30-acre tract of beachfront, located just west of the Biloxi Yacht Club.

Councilman Felix Gines, who represents that direct area of East Biloxi, said this of the exciting new development plan:

“A development of this nature in East Biloxi will only help stimulate other much needed developments such as housing and retail growth. There isn’t a better location in Biloxi to help stimulate and kick start growth in the area. We believe in letting the market dictate itself…this could also be a game-changer for the city of Biloxi. This is a development that we’ve been working on for a while.”

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Mississippi, news, Sports Betting

Sports Betting Revenue in Mississippi Surges in September

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

Mississippi is one of the 19 US states with an active sports betting market. This industry is proving to be massively successful here, particularly with the help of the NFL’s 2019/2020 season. New reports indicate that sports betting revenue in Mississippi surged during the month of September.

Hundred Dollar Bills Laid Out

It’s great news for betting operators here. Mississippi has always been thought of as a US casino hub and is now beginning to gain a reputation as a major sports betting destination. Let’s look at exactly how much sports betting companies managed to bring in last month.

Mississippi’s Gambling Market Continues to Expand

For centuries, all forms of gambling were banned in Mississippi. The state took this matter seriously, issuing harsh punishments to anyone caught playing inside an illegal gambling house. In 1990, lawmakers here decided to make a change.

State politicians decided to legalize traditional casino gambling. Within just a few years, several land-based and riverboat casinos began operating here. Today, there are a huge number of land-based gambling venues, most of which are very successful.

It’s clear that lawmakers wanted to bring in more revenue from the gambling industry. In 2018, shortly after PASPA was removed, Mississippi officially approved sports betting. Two MGM Resorts-owned casinos took the state’s first sports wagers in August of that year.

Since this time, almost all casinos in this state have begun offering sports gambling options. Many of these casinos are earning millions in additional revenue from this industry.

September was a massively successful month for sports betting operators in this state. Here’s how much money was brought in.

September Brings an Increase in Sports Betting Revenue in Mississippi

This state continues to rack in money from its sports betting market. New reports indicate that that September was one of the biggest months of the year in terms of revenue. There are clearly a huge number of passionate sports fans here.

The state’s Gambling Commission claims that sports betting revenue in Mississippi increased by 19.2% year-on-year to $37.9 million. The state itself took in $5.6 million in tax earnings. Interestingly, most of the year-on-year growth came from the state’s central region.

Handle from this region increased by 75.6% in this area compared to the same month last year. The state earned $780,798 in taxes from this region, with bookmakers recording a 15.29% win rate.

Unsurprisingly, the Coastal region contributed the most to sports betting revenue in Mississippi last month. This area brought in $25.4 million, representing a 14.7% increase from the same month last year.

This industry is showing no signs of slowing down. Last month, casinos in this state brought in massive revenue earnings, as well.

Soon, Mississippi could have one of the most lucrative sports gambling markets in the country. The rise in sports betting revenue could push other nearby states to legalize and regulate this market, as well.

Nearby States Considering Sports Betting Legalization

As of today, 19 states have legalized sports gambling. Many more have pending legislation to open their sports gambling markets. Several states in near proximity to Mississippi are currently considering allowing this form of gambling.

Several already have, too. Lawmakers in both Tennessee and North Carolina have both recently passed sports gambling legislation bills. The “Tennessee Sports Gambling Act” became legal on May 25th of this year. On July 26th North Carolina approved a bill that “allows sports and horse race wagering on tribal lands.”

Several other nearby states are working to legalize sports betting. Politicians in Louisiana and Alabama have both recently presented sports betting bills. Unfortunately, none of them have been approved during their state legislative sessions.

In time, it’s likely that almost every US state will allow sports betting. It’s a massively profitable industry that’s popular with individuals across the country.

Sports betting revenue in Mississippi continues to increase. We’ll need to wait and see whether or not October brings even better results.

Stay tuned for more US sports betting news over the next few months!

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Casino, Mississippi, news

Mississippi Casinos Help to Generate Billions for the State

James MurrayBy James Murray

For much of the state’s history, Mississippi banned almost all forms of gambling. Eventually, lawmakers here began opening up the state’s casino market. Now, Mississippi casinos are helping to generate massive revenue earnings for the state.

Mississippi State Seal

Mississippi lawmakers have to be pleased seeing these casino venues generating so much revenue.

Now is the perfect time to look at exactly how much revenue these casinos are earning. We’ll also talk about some of the new gambling options now available in this state.

Mississippi’s New Gambling Laws, Explained

As we just mentioned, Mississippi once had an extremely restrictive set of gambling laws. Virtually all forms of gambling were banned here in 1886 and it took more than 100 years for laws to change. Finally, in 1990, politicians here approved the “Gaming Control Act” that allows legalized casinos to open in the state’s coastal and riverside areas.

Almost immediately, several companies began requesting licenses to operate casinos here. Before long, the state allowed several riverboat casinos to open their doors. Casino gambling quickly grew in popularity here, drawing in visitors from nearby states such as Alabama and Tennessee.

The state government quickly began looking for new ways to generate revenue from the gambling industry. Eventually, lawmakers here began allowing land-based casinos to run, as well. There are now a huge number of popular gambling establishments in Mississippi, almost all of which are located on the state’s coast.

To the surprise of many, lawmakers in this state also recently legalized sports betting. Two MGM Resorts-owned casinos began taking the first legal sports bets here in August of 2018. This industry is proving to be extremely lucrative.

Mississippi Casinos Bring the State Billions Every Year

The casino industry in Mississippi is booming right now. Thanks to the huge number of land-based casinos here and legal sports betting options, these venues are now bringing in more than $1 billion annually. Mississippi casinos are also generating more than $4 billion in total economic value for the state.

Mississippi’s casino industry employs more than 37,000 individuals. This includes those working as chefs, security guards, and florists. Casinos have proven to be extremely valuable to the state’s workforce.

The annual money coming into the state goes towards various projects. This revenue is used to fund roads, bridges, first responders, and public schools. These gambling establishments are now considered to be one of the most important contributors to the state’s economy.

Sports betting is proving to be extremely successful here, as well. Today, most of the casinos in this state now offer legal sports betting platforms. Thanks to the 2019/2020 NFL season, revenue from sports betting is increasing rapidly.

Many here are now calling for online casino gambling to become regulated. Is this likely to happen?

Calls for Online Casinos in Mississippi Continue

Residents in Mississippi are lucky. There are great casinos located all over the coastal area of the state. Of course, many are still calling for internet casinos to become regulated. For those located in the northern area of the state, making the trip to a land-based casino can be a pain.

Several states have recently legalized online casino gambling. These states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania, recognize the huge revenue potential from the regulation of the online casino industry.

Lawmakers in Mississippi aren’t showing much interest.

Officials in the state government are hesitant to start regulating the online casino market. It appears that these officials are content with the money coming in from the state’s land-based gambling venues. Fortunately, there are some amazing MS online casinos that are currently available.

These websites are not regulated by the state. Most of them, however, are extremely safe and offer a wide range of different gambling options. As you might expect, these websites are growing more popular every single month.

Mississippi casinos are generating serious money right now. Nearby states may soon take notice and begin expanding their own gambling industries.

Stay tuned for more Mississippi casino news over the next few months!

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Mississippi, news, Sports Betting

Sports Betting Revenue in Mississippi Surges in August

Nickolas BransonBy Nickolas Branson

Mississippi has a unique, liberal set of gambling laws compared to many other southern states. Back in 2018, lawmakers here approved sports betting and today, several casinos in the state operate sportsbooks. This week, reports came out showing that sports betting revenue in Mississippi increased substantially in August.Mississippi State Seal

It’s great news for casinos in this state. Today, we’re going to look at exactly how much revenue the state’s sports gambling operators made in August. We’ll also look at some of the other gambling options in Mississippi available right now.

Mississippi’s Road to Sports Betting Legalization

Unlike many states in the south, Mississippi has shown a willingness to embrace the gambling industry. There are a huge number of land-based and riverboat casinos in this state, many of which bring the state huge revenue earnings each month. In 2017, lawmakers here began taking a closer look at the sports gambling industry. Unfortunately, the state wasn’t able to officially launch any sportsbooks.

In May of 2018, the Supreme Court struck down PASPA. Prior to this, only Nevada was legally allowed to offer sports betting options. With PASPA gone, every state now has the ability to set laws on the sports gambling industry.

Weeks after PASPA was removed, several politicians in Mississippi began calling for sports betting to become legal and regulated. In June of 2018, the state passed a law that allows for land-based sports betting inside licensed casinos. By August, several Mississippi casinos began offering sports betting odds to their patrons.

Today, almost every casino in the state has launched a sportsbook. Lawmakers here are still debating whether or not to allow online and mobile sports gambling options. For now, sports betting is only allowed inside land-based casinos.

Fortunately, the decision to legalize sports gambling is paying off.

Sports Betting Revenue in Mississippi Increases in August

Mississippi is known for having one of the most passionate sporting fan bases in the country. No major professional teams are based here, yet some of the top collegiate sports programs in the country call Mississippi home. There are a massive number of NFL fans in this state and it’s clear that many of them love to wager on the season outcomes.

New reports show that sports betting revenue in Mississippi increased by a staggering 48.5% in August. $19.9 million in sports bets were placed here last month. Most gambling analysts credit the start of the 2019/2020 NFL and NCAA football season for the surge in revenue.

The NFL remains the most popular sports league in the country. Mississippi bettors placed more than $6 million in football bets last month. This represents a 152% increase in money wagered compared to the same month last year.

The majority of this money came from Mississippi’s coastal region, where many of the biggest casinos, such as Harrah’s Gulf Coast Casino, are located. 65.4% of all sports bets placed in August came from this area of the state.

Lawmakers have to be pleased to see this surge in revenue. Hope was always that sports betting would bring in money for the state. Things are definitely looking good.

Mississippi Casinos Voice Disapproval of State Regulation

As we’ve already mentioned, Mississippi is home to a huge number of fantastic casinos. Commercial and tribal casino gambling is legal in this state. Unfortunately, several major casinos here are upset with decisions the state is making with regards to the gaming industry.

Larry Gregory, executive director of the Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association, recently presented a letter to the Mississippi Gaming Commission. In this letter, he voiced the concerns that 26 of the casinos that he represents have over the state’s new casino regulations.

Gregory claims that the MGHA is “… concerned as it has watched the commission dedicate an extraordinary amount of its resources to assist RW and DH.”

He’s referring to the Gaming Commission’s support of RW Development and Diamondhead Real Estate, two companies pushing to open a new casino in the coastal region of Mississippi.

It looks as if these companies are being given special treatment. They’ve been twice denied to open a casino here, yet the state is willing to hear their appeal to open this new casino.

We’ll need to wait and see how the state responds to Gregory’s statements.

Sports betting revenue in Mississippi is surging right now. Hopefully, this trend continues for the rest of the year. Make sure to stay tuned for more Mississippi gambling news over the next few months!