In a surprising turn of events, the Mississippi online sports betting bill has hit a major roadblock and is currently on hold. The bill, which aimed to legalize online sports betting in the state, was expected to pass with ease, but a last-minute change in the wording of the bill has caused controversy and led to its derailment.
The bill, known as HB 748, was introduced by Representative Kevin Horan earlier this year. It gained widespread support from both lawmakers and industry stakeholders, who saw it as a step forward in modernizing Mississippi’s gambling laws and bringing in much-needed revenue for the state.
However, just days before the bill was scheduled to be voted on, a key amendment was added that would give the state’s existing casinos exclusive rights to offer online sports betting. This was a major departure from the original bill, which would have allowed multiple operators to apply for licenses to operate online sportsbooks in the state.
This change caused a division among lawmakers, with some arguing that it would give unfair advantages to the state’s casinos and limit competition in the market. Others, however, believed that it was necessary to protect the interests of the existing gambling industry in Mississippi.
Despite hours of heated debate on the floor of the House of Representatives, a final decision could not be reached, and the bill was ultimately tabled. This means that the future of online sports betting in Mississippi remains uncertain, at least for the time being.
Industry experts have expressed disappointment at the bill’s derailment, noting that online sports betting has the potential to generate significant revenue for the state. They also pointed out that neighboring states like Tennessee and Louisiana have already legalized online sports betting, putting Mississippi at a competitive disadvantage.
For now, Mississippi residents will have to wait and see what the future holds for online sports betting in their state. Lawmakers have indicated that they will continue to work on the bill and hope to reintroduce it in the near future, but for now, the road to legalization remains a rocky one.
