Sports betting has been a worldwide pastime since the dawn of competitive games. With the advent of the internet, online sports betting has been a growing trend. Mississippi sports fans that are wondering where to get in on the action need look no further. This site will reveal and explain the many laws that surround sports betting, as well as point you in the direction of excellent legal Mississippi online sportsbooks. There is a lot of competition in the online sports betting world, but we have gone over the premier sites with a fine-toothed comb to bring you the leaders of the pack.
The laws that surround online sports betting can be confusing to read. The legal language is antiquated and full of seeming contradictory terms. We will explain the laws in plain English so you will have a full-grasp of what is allowable in Mississippi. In 1992, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) outlawed sports betting in every state except for Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. In 2018, the Supreme Court found this federal law unconstitutional, opening the door for Mississippi to legalize both online sports betting.
Dating back even before the PASPA, the Federal Wire Act of 1961 was the major blow to online sports betting. The Wire Act criminalized the facilitation of online sports betting sites in the US by prohibiting bookmakers from using wired communication devices (later ruled to include the internet) for the purpose of online gambling. There is also the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) which is a restriction for U.S. payment processors. As complicated as these laws sound, they only apply to unregulated forms of betting. Now that sports betting is not illegal in the U.S. and the majority of states will be offering online/sports betting, these laws may no longer be relevant.
The good news is that there are many online sportsbooks functioning overseas, in places where operating them is legal. Mississippi residents are within their rights to use these Mississippi sports betting sites, and millions of Americans are doing so every day.
Read More: Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Mississippi?
We have scoured the internet for the leading online sportsbooks that accept Mississippi bettors in existence. Many sites claim to offer out of this world bonuses and large sportsbooks, but fail to deliver and many regards. We have played extensively on every premier sports betting site, judging on everything from signup bonuses to payout speeds, and come up with a few that stand head-and-shoulders above the rest. Leading gaming commissions license each site we review, and they utilize the highest security standards on the market. You can be sure that using any of these sites will be as safe as using Amazon or PayPal.
Bovada has been a leading name in sports betting for over two decades. A sister-company of BoDog Entertainment, this site has the acclaim and reputation that sports fans expect in a betting website. Bovada uses secure SSL and encryption protocols to ensure your information is safe, and professional gaming companies audit the site. The award-winning customer service team is there to assist you 24 hours a day if you ever have a problem with the site. We have always experienced courteous and prompt service, and the staff are experts on every aspect of sports betting.
Bovada offers many ways to bet. Besides the usual money lines, spreads, and parlays, they offer innovative wagers such as mobile, live, and propositional betting. For fans of popular culture or politics, there are entertainment and political props, and you can even bet on E-Sports. Of course, everyone knows this comes second in Mississippi to betting on any of the fantastic college football action happening at MSU. No matter what you are interested in, Bovada is sure to offer ways to bet on it.
SportsBetting is one of the most popular sportsbooks on the web. The site is a favorite among sports fan worldwide. They offer no-frills betting action and one of the best sportsbooks in the world. You won’t find many flashy lights or ads; this site gets you in on the action right away. No, wonder the sports betting world touts this site as a hidden gem. There is a thriving community at Sportsbetting.ag, but the masses have yet to catch on. We suggest signing up now, before the legions of sports bettors know what their missing.
SportsBetting has the most up-to-date lines on all major sports, as well as entertainment and political props. There is also an amazing English speaking customer service team on call 24 hours a day. This is not a feature to be underestimated – when you sign up with SportsBetting, you have not just your own sports knowledge to draw from, but the technical expertise of an entire staff. You should try getting this quality of service anywhere else in the world, we dare you. This site feels like a tight-knit community of sports fans, and moving in to the neighborhood is free.
| Sportsbook | Bonus | Mississippi Welcome? | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Up To $250 First Deposit | Yes | Visit |
| SportsBetting | 50% Match On First Deposit | Yes | Visit |
| BetOnline Sportsbook | $1,000 On All Deposits - 25% | Yes | Visit |
| 5Dimes Sportsbook | 50% To $200 Then 20% To $500 | Yes | Visit |
The Mississippi Legislature has made it clear that land-based sportsbooks are on their way. It is legal for licensed casinos in the state to accept bets on sports given that they apply for a sportsbook license. These brick and mortar sportsbook locations will be operational by the end of 2018, and you can check the Mississippi Gaming Commission site for updates. Some of the casinos that you can expect to be onboard include Beau Rivage, Island View Casino Resort, Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, Hard Rock Casino, and many others.
Bettors in Mississippi need not worry about falling victim to the law with one key parameter: they must be over 21. This has tripped up more than a couple of Mississippi players who are over 18 and may sign up with the online sportsbooks listed on this page, so don’t let yourself fall into that trap! Underage betting is an unnecessary risk to take as many underage bettors have found out the hard way.
Mississippi legalized sports betting ahead of the Supreme Court ruling against the federal ban on wagering. As such, the state will allow residents to legally bet on sporting events at licensed casinos. There are no laws that make online sports betting illegal within the state, which is why residents turn to the many sites offering legal Mississippi gambling betting action. All of the sites we review offer unparalleled sports betting, and you will never have to worry about a nefarious bookie.