JACKSON, Mississippi: Mississippi is moving closer to legalizing online sports betting after a House committee approved a bill that could generate millions in tax revenue while addressing concerns from the state's casino industry.

Representative Casey Eure, R-Saucier, is leading the effort again after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement in 2024. While sports wagering has been legal in Mississippi for years, mobile betting remains banned due to concerns about its impact on brick-and-mortar casinos.

"I would like to start by saying I am committed to the bricks-and-mortar casinos, and this bill mandates that all sports betting is tethered to bricks-and-mortar casinos," Eure said.

The new version of the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act was adjusted to address previous objections, including allowing casinos to partner with two sports betting platforms instead of one. Supporters say this change will help protect smaller casinos from being overshadowed by the larger Gulf Coast casinos.

To further safeguard smaller establishments, the bill creates a US$6 million fund, generated by taxes on sports betting, to compensate casinos for potential revenue losses during the first five years. Any unused funds would go toward road and bridge repairs.

Another key provision prevents bettors from using credit cards, a measure added at the Senate's request to help curb gambling addiction. "Nanny state," some committee members muttered during the discussion.

The bill proposes a 12 percent tax on sports wagers, with proceeds benefiting all 82 counties through the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund. Eure estimates that by keeping mobile betting illegal, the state is losing between $40 million and $80 million in annual tax revenue.

Proponents also argue that legalization would weaken offshore gambling platforms, which many Mississippi residents already use. According to data shared with the committee, since the start of the current NFL season, there have been 8.69 million attempts to access legal mobile sportsbooks from inside the state.

According to the American Gaming Association, 30 states and Washington, D.C., currently allow mobile sports betting.

The bill has now been moved to the full House for consideration.