Wisconsin, Mississippi Eye Mobile Sports Betting

Wisconsin and Mississippi could be the next two states to offer online sports betting. Both markets allow wagering in brick-and-mortar casinos only, despite neighboring states allowing mobile betting.

Mississippi Lawmakers Look To Add Online Wagering

In Mississippi, state Rep. Kevin Felsher expressed optimism that a bill could pass this year after previous efforts have failed.

“I’m hopeful this year could be the year that we get a sensible mobile sports betting program that protects the integrity of our brick-and-mortars,” Felsher told local media.

The state legalized sports betting at casinos in 2018 and is now looking to add online wagering in an effort to help shore up the Public Employees’ Retirement System. Felsher said the system faces a $26 billion shortfall.

“We need a steady source of funding, whether that be through redoing the lottery, how that’s allocated, or perhaps sports gambling,” he said.

Tribes Could Partner With Sportsbooks Under Wisconsin Bill

Similar efforts to add online sports betting are taking place in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin legalized sports betting at casinos in 2021. Rep. Tyler August introduced AB 601 in November. The bill could’ve added online betting, but the measure was pulled before receiving a vote.

August expects to reintroduce the bill in the new legislative session, which begins this week. The bill and the companion Senate version, SB 592, would legalize online betting through the state’s tribal groups.

This would require renegotiated compacts with the state. Under the legislation, tribes could partner with sports betting operators. There are 25 tribal casinos in the state but no commercial gaming properties.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos recently told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he expects the bill to receive a vote this year. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R) hasn’t commented on whether the companion bill would receive a vote in that legislative body.

National Sports Betting Landscape

The country has seen 39 states along with Washington D.C. and the US territory of Puerto Rico legalize sports betting since the Supreme Court lifted the ban in 2018.