Online Gambling in Mississippi: Riverboat Casinos, Sports Betting, and Legal Gray Area
Mississippi maintains a regulated gambling industry centered on riverboat and land-based casinos, with oversight from the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The state legalized commercial casino gaming in 1990 and sports betting in 2017 following the PASPA repeal. No intrastate online casinos, poker, or mobile sports betting operate legally. Offshore platforms accept Mississippi residents in a legal gray area, with no recorded prosecutions of individual players for participation as of 2026, though state law prohibits unauthorized gambling and highlights risks including lack of consumer protections and potential payment issues on unregulated sites.
Legal Framework for Gambling
Mississippi Code §§97-33-1 et seq. and §§75-76-1 et seq. govern gambling, prohibiting unauthorized wagering while authorizing licensed commercial and tribal operations. No statutes explicitly address online gambling, creating ambiguity. Penalties focus on operators and promoters rather than individual players. Enforcement prioritizes illegal domestic activities over offshore participation. The Mississippi Gaming Commission licenses and regulates all legal gaming, ensuring compliance with age requirements (21+) and responsible gaming measures.
Land-Based and Riverboat Casinos
Mississippi features 29 licensed casinos: 15 on the Gulf Coast (Biloxi/Gulfport), 13 in the Northern region (Tunica area), and one in Vicksburg/Natchez. Key venues include:
- Beau Rivage Resort & Casino (Biloxi): 2,000+ slots, 100+ table games, luxury resort amenities
- Gold Strike Casino Resort (Tunica): 1,200+ slots, table games, hotel and golf
- Horseshoe Tunica (Tunica): 1,800+ slots, table games, WSOP-branded poker room
- IP Casino Resort Spa (Biloxi): 1,700+ slots, table games, spa and entertainment
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi: 1,800+ slots, table games, concert venue
- Golden Nugget Biloxi: 1,000+ slots, table games, beachfront location
These casinos offer slots, table games (blackjack, roulette, craps), poker rooms, and retail sportsbooks. No state-authorized online casino access exists for residents.
Poker in Mississippi
Live poker rooms operate at several casinos, including Horseshoe Tunica (WSOP Circuit events), Beau Rivage, and IP Casino. Games focus on No-Limit Hold’em cash and tournaments. No regulated real-money online poker platforms are available. Offshore poker sites accept Mississippi players unregulated, carrying legal ambiguity. Social poker apps provide free-play options.
Sports Betting in Mississippi
Retail sports betting launched in 2018, with licensed sportsbooks at most casinos. Bettors place wagers in-person at approved venues. No mobile or online sports betting exists. Pari-mutuel horse and greyhound racing continue at tracks and off-track facilities. Offshore sportsbooks serve Mississippi residents without player enforcement actions reported.
Daily Fantasy Sports Availability
Daily Fantasy Sports operates legally under 2016 legislation (HB 967), classified outside traditional gambling definitions. Major platforms DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo Fantasy accept Mississippi residents without restrictions or dedicated licensing requirements.
Mississippi Lottery and Other Games
The Mississippi Lottery launched in 2019, offering draw games (Powerball, Mega Millions), scratch-offs, and instant tickets. Tickets sell exclusively through licensed retailers—no online sales are authorized. The official website provides results, promotions, and educational resources. Charitable bingo operates through nonprofits, but no commercial or online bingo receives state approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gambling options are available in Mississippi?
Mississippi provides 29 riverboat/land-based casinos with slots, table games, and poker; retail sports betting; DFS; the state lottery; and charitable bingo. No regulated online casinos or poker exist.
What laws govern online gambling in Mississippi?
§§97-33 and 75-76 statutes prohibit unauthorized gambling, applying broadly without explicit online provisions. Enforcement targets operators, not individual offshore players.
Is real-money online gambling legal for players in Mississippi?
Real-money online gambling violates state law technically, but offshore play occurs without player prosecutions reported. Participation carries unregulated risks and no state protections.
Which offshore sites accept Mississippi residents?
Many offshore casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks welcome Mississippi players, though participation involves risks regarding security, fairness, and dispute resolution.