Mississippi is quite liberal about gambling, at least when it comes to land-based wagering. The Magnolia State is home to numerous state-regulated casinos and Native American tribe-owned casinos that offer a wide range of slots, table games, and pari-mutuel betting services. The state also permits charity bingo and the lottery.
As far as online gambling is concerned, the pastime is illegal under the state statutes. Many players try to circumvent the law by playing in offshore-based casinos, without caring about the potential consequences.
In this article, we’re going to talk about the legal status of online gambling in Mississippi and provide our interpretation of gambling laws in the Magnolia State. Read on!
Top 10 Mississippi Online Casinos
Here is a list of our top 10 recommended online casino sites to play at for real money from Mississippi.
1
Bovada
Rating 4.5
Mobile Friendly
Accepts Bitcoin
Live dealers available
Deposit Methods: ACH Direct Deposit, American Express, Bank transfer, Bitcoin, echeck, MasterCard, Matchpay, Visa, Visa Gift Card
The deposit plus bonus amount is subject to a 25x playthrough requirement before the deposit, bonus amount and any winnings can be withdrawn.
Forfeiting this bonus will result in this bonus and any subsequent winnings associated with this bonus to be removed.
Bonus funds cannot be used for play on Live Dealer games.
Craps and Live Dealer play do not count toward meeting rollover requirements for withdrawal.
All games, except Craps and Live Dealer, contribute towards playthrough requirements; however, certain games may have a greater contribution than others.
Deposit Methods: ACH Direct Deposit, American Express, Bank transfer, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Courier Check, echeck, Ethereum, Gift Cards, Litecoin, MasterCard, Matchpay, Tether, User2User Transfer, Visa
Withdrawal Methods: American Express, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Check, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, User2User Transfer
The deposit plus Casino bonus amount is subject to a 25X Casino playthrough requirement before the deposit, bonus amount and any winnings can be withdrawn.
• This offer is valid only for first-time depositors at Vegas Casino. • The offer is limited to one player per household and/or computer. • The coupon can only be redeemed once by the player to a maximum of $500 in bonus. • Deposit a minimum $25 to qualify for this bonus. • The deposit and bonus must be wagered fifty (50) times before a cashout is permitted. • Only the following games count towards the wagering requirements of the bonus: some Real Video Slots, some Slots, Keno and Scratch Cards.
Deposit Methods: American Express, Bank transfer, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, BitcoinSV, Courier Check, Ethereum, Litecoin, MasterCard, Matchpay, Player Transfer, Tether, Visa
Bonuses issued at the discretion of the Company are subject to one per individual, household, civic address, e-mail address, deposit instrument, bank account, telephone number, computer/device, and/or IP address.
If you cancel or forfeit the bonus at anytime prior to wagering and rollover requirements being met, all funds generated by the bonus (including the bonus) will be void and be ineligible for reinstatement. Details on the applicable restrictions can be found in the specific terms of the promotion.
Unless otherwise stated, the minimum amount required to activate a deposit bonus is $20.
Bonuses are subject to wagering and rollover requirements and must be met by their specified timeline prior to any approved requested withdrawals.
Players can claim the WILD250 bonus code on their first deposit only.
Players can claim the WILD100 bonus code on their 2nd to 5th deposits only.
A minimum deposit of $20 is required to qualify for WILD250 and WILD100 bonus codes.
The maximum bonus amount per deposit is $1,000.
The correct bonus code needs to be entered to claim the correct match bonus with your deposit. ie WILD250 on your first deposit and WILD100 on subsequent deposits.
This bonus is only valid on select Slots, Table games and Video Poker games.
This bonus is not valid in the Live Dealer Casino.
The deposit plus bonus amount is subject to a 40X rollover requirement before any winnings can be withdrawn.
Not all games contribute towards bonus rollover; please check our bonus contribution page for further details.
If the rollover requirements are not met within 30 days of claiming the bonus, any remaining bonus funds winnings will be forfeited.
Only one bonus can be active at any one time.
The maximum release amount is 5X the bonus amount up to $5,000.
Rollover requirements must be met before any additional bonuses can be granted.
This promotion is non-transferable.
Standard bonus terms and conditions apply.
Wild Casino reserves the right to alter or amend the Terms and Conditions of this promotion at any time without notice.
All free bonuses require a minimum of 60x wagering before any withdrawal can be made. Wagers placed on Blackjack, Video Poker, Craps, American Roulette, Baccarat, and other table or non-slot games will not count toward this wagering requirement unless explicitly stated otherwise. Playing any excluded game before meeting these wagering requirements may result in the casino voiding all winnings and potentially closing the account. Withdrawal requests submitted before completing the wagering requirements will be denied until these requirements are fully met.
It’s hard to give a definitive answer to this question because the state’s laws are vague and outdated. On one hand, the criminal code doesn’t explicitly mention anything about online gambling being illegal. However, section 97-33-7 (1) has a broad definition of devices that can be used for illegal gambling:
“It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, firm, copartnership, or corporation to have in possession, own, control, display, or operate any cane rack, knife rack, artful dodger, punch board, roll down, merchandise wheel, slot machine, pinball machine, or similar device or devices.”
It’s hard to interpret this section because it contains a lot of outdated terms. But from what we could tell, “similar device or devices” could be applied to a PC or a mobile device. Also, engaging in any form of unauthorized gambling is punishable by a fine of up to $500 or 90 days in prison, if the fine isn’t paid.
Furthermore, the MS Gaming Commission, the main gambling regulatory body in the state, also prohibits internet gambling. According to their stipulations regarding online gambling, it’s illegal to place bets on online gambling sites from Mississippi.
It seems that Mississippi has a pretty harsh stance towards online gambling. But what about gambling in offshore-based sites?
Is Gambling on Offshore Sites Legal?
Since Mississippi’s statutes don’t mention anything about gambling in sites that are based outside the US, a number of offshore operators accept players from the Magnolia State. Mississippi authorities haven’t prosecuted anyone from playing in an out-of-state casino, so most people automatically assume that gambling on these sites is legal.
However, we would advise caution because you would be taking a huge risk if you opt for offshore casinos. Our suggestion is to consult a lawyer and get a clearer picture as to whether gambling on the website is illegal.
The Future of Online Gambling in Mississippi
Mississippi was one of the first states to jump on the DFS bandwagon after the state governor Phil Bryant signed legislation that explicitly legalized and regulated daily fantasy sports in 2016. The Magnolia State also has a healthy land-based casino market.
There were several efforts to regulate online gambling in Mississippi. In 2015, Mississippi State Representative Bobby Moak introduced a bill that would have allowed land-based casinos in the state to operate over the Internet. Unfortunately, ever since he was reelected, no advancements have been made on the subject.
When the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, allowing each state to determine its own laws and regulations about online gambling, Mississippi didn’t waste time getting in on the action. On August 1, 2018, the Magnolia State legalized sports betting, but only if it takes place in land-based regulated casinos and sportsbooks.
Since Mississippi is at the forefront of the sports betting industry in the US, it’s only a matter of time before online sports wagering becomes legal in the state. And if DFS takes off along with online sports betting, it will be hard for politicians to pass up iGaming, considering the massive revenue this form of gambling could bring to the state’s economy.
Land-based legal casinos in Mississippi could advocate for the matter as well. They’re losing profit due to illegal offshore gambling, and could certainly use a revenue boost.
All things considered, we don’t see Mississippi launch online casinos anytime soon (in the next 2– 3 years), but at least there have been some discussions on the matter.
Land-Based Casino Venues in Mississippi
There are over 30 non-tribal and tribal casinos operating in Mississippi. All of them are open 24/7, and the minimum gambling age is 21. The most popular games you’ll find in these venues include slots, roulette, craps, blackjack, video poker, baccarat, and poker.
Mississippi legalized riverboat gambling in 1990 and, nowadays, all gambling establishments found in the state are riverboats. Casino operators are allowed to launch operations only on the coast of the Mississippi River and the neighboring counties. What’s interesting is that all casinos in MS are required to be permanently docked and never set sail.
Here are the three most prominent casinos in Mississippi:
Golden Nugget Biloxi Hotel & Casino
Located at 151 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, Golden Nugget is a premium gambling destination for MS residents. The venue has a first-class casino that features over 1,100 slots, 49 table games, and a poker room. There’s also a sportsbook section where you can place bets on all the popular sports in the US. The site also runs frequent promotions and tournaments, offering players a chance to win fantastic cash prizes.
Island View Casino Resort
If you find yourself near Beach Blvd, make sure to visit Island View Casino Resort. This resort is home to the largest casino floor on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, sized approximately 126,000 square feet. Players can choose from 2,600 exciting video slots, as well as all the casino classic games, namely blackjack and poker. And if you join the Player’s Club, you’ll earn points for every $ you spend in the casino room. Once you accumulate a sufficient number of points, you can redeem them for food, hotel stays, and other perks.
Gold Strike Casino Resort: Tunica Hotel & Casino
Gold Strike Casino Resort is situated in Robinsonville, 28.3 miles from Memphis International Airport. It’s home to over 1,200 of the latest slots with regular and progressive jackpots worth thousands of dollars. Apart from these, you can find several table games, including Four Card Poker, Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker, and Let it Ride. There is also a High Limit Gaming lounge with high stakes games and VIP personalized service.
FAQ
No, online gambling is illegal under Mississippi’s statutes. The main gambling regulatory body in MS, the MS Gaming Commission, also forbids internet gambling. You could try gambling on offshore sites, but we advise you to ask your lawyer for advice on this first.
It’s 18 for charitable bingo, and 21 for casino gambling, poker, and parimutuel betting.
No, Mississippi doesn’t have state-regulated sports betting sites. Betting on sports is allowed, but only if it takes place in regulated casino sportsbooks.
Yes, they are. Mississippi legalized daily fantasy sports in 2016, allowing DFS operators to offer their services to MS residents.
Unfortunately, there aren’t online lotteries available in Mississippi. However, you can purchase tickets online via services such as WinTrillions.
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