Mississippi Online Sports Betting, Anti-Sweepstakes Casino Bill Dead

In February, the Mississippi Senate passed Sen. Joey Fillingane’s Senate Bill 2510 by a 51-0 vote. Fillingane’s bill called for increased criminal penalties for offering illegal online gambling in the state while banning online sweepstakes gaming as well.

The Mississippi Senate became the first chamber in the U.S. to pass a bill banning sweepstakes casinos. House Representatives then amended it in early March to include online sports betting language.

Although SB 2510 passed the initial legislation, the Senate rejected it for the sports betting language. The bill headed to a conference committee last week, with the Senate represented by Fillingane, Sen. Mike Thompson, and Sen. David Blount.

That bill is now officially dead since Monday was the deadline for conference committee reports. The Mississippi legislature is scheduled to adjourn on April 6.

SB 2510 Included A 12% Tax, Up To Two Licenses Per Retail Casino

While sweepstakes casinos are not specifically defined in the bill, the measure still grouped them as unlicensed operators. Violators would have been subject to felonies, punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison.

“If any person shall operate an online platform that facilitates illegal wagering, such person shall be guilty of a felony. Upon each conviction, a person shall be fined in a sum not more than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or shall be imprisoned for a term of years not to exceed ten (10) years, or by both fine and imprisonment,” the bill reads.

“The assets, rights, and privileges used in connection with violations of the provisions of this section shall be liable to forfeiture, to the State of Mississippi or to the county in which a violation is committed.”

The House provisions in SB 2510 included a 12% tax and up to two licenses per retail casino. The bill also would have established the Mobile Sports Wagering Tax Fund, which would have directed $6 million per annum until 2030 to support small retail casinos.

State Regulators Can Still Take Action Against Sweeps Operators

This means a sweepstakes casino ban and online sports betting legislation in the Magnolia State might have to wait until next year. It’s good news for sweeps players who enjoy playing free-to-play games via Stake.us or Crown Coins Casino.

However, the state could still take action against sweeps operators, such as regulators issuing cease-and-desist letters. Legal sports betting is also available to residents, but bettors can only place wagers in person at brick-and-mortar casinos.

Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New York have also introduced legislation to ban sweepstakes so far this year. New Jersey assembly bill A5447 recently gained a second sponsor and a counterpart bill in the Senate.

In addition, New York Sen. Joseph Addabbo’s SB S9226 led to sweeps operators like Hello Millions, High 5 Casino, SportsMillions, PlayFame, SpinBlitz, and Rolling Riches each announcing plans to exit the Empire State.

The post Mississippi Online Sports Betting, Anti-Sweepstakes Casino Bill Dead appeared first on CasinoBeats.

 In February, the Mississippi Senate passed Sen. Joey Fillingane’s Senate Bill 2510 by a 51-0 vote. Fillingane’s bill called for increased criminal penalties for offering illegal online gambling in the state while banning online sweepstakes gaming as well. The Mississippi Senate became the first chamber in the U.S. to pass a bill banning sweepstakes casinos.
The post Mississippi Online Sports Betting, Anti-Sweepstakes Casino Bill Dead appeared first on CasinoBeats.