As Mississippi legislators consider mobile sports betting, a new poll from the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) reports that a majority of the state’s residents are against legalization.
The trade group, made up of casino operators, opposes online casinos and mobile sports betting. The group’s commissioned survey found that 74.2% of poll participants oppose mobile betting. Their concerns came after learning the bill would allow wagering on smartphones and other devices.
More than 80% of those polled felt the same about online casino legalization. Once again, the concern came once participants learned it would include 24/7 access by personal devices.
“This data proves that online gambling is a product Mississippi simply does not want,” NAAiG Government Relations Director Oliver Barie said. “When residents envision what this policy means in practice – the ‘casino in your pocket’ at all hours – they move decisively away from legalization.”
Mobile Betting Won’t Fix State’s Budget Woes, Group Says
State Rep. Kevin Felsher recently expressed optimism that a bill could pass this year after previous efforts have failed. The state legalized brick-and-mortar sports betting in 2018.
But now some in the government want to add online wagering. They hope the added revenue would help shore up the Public Employees’ Retirement System, which faces a $26 billion shortfall.
The NAAiG report listed several reasons for opposing legalization. They included the potential loss of revenue to out-of-state operators and minimal state benefit. According to NAAiG estimates, online sports betting tax revenue would only total around $11 million. The total is “not a material amount” against a $7 billion state budget.
Job cannibalization is also a concern, according to the report. It said live betting threatens casino traffic, which would lead to weakened operations and a reduction in the hospitality workforce.
Along with the survey, the NAAiG also released a letter to state legislators. The document outlines several MS casinos’ concerns over mobile sports wagering.
“We write today to emphatically reaffirm our unwavering opposition to online sports betting (OSB) based on the numerous negative consequences which have been clearly tied to the OSB market,” the letter said.
“The latest developments across the nation have only magnified the serious and escalating harm linked to online sports betting, further validating our stance which we have taken on this topic over the past several years.”
Casino Operators Split
The letter is signed by several Mississippi casinos, including Harlow’s, Fitz, Waterview, Silver Slipper, Island View, Palace, Golden Moon, Magnolia Bluffs, and Treasure Bay.
The letter highlights a split in the gaming industry, with many smaller operators tending to be opposed to mobile sports betting and online gaming expansion. Larger companies, such as Caesars Entertainment, MGM, Bally’s, and others, tend to favor legalization and operate extensive online platforms.
Some in the industry argue that the concerns about job loss aren’t justified. In 2024, iDEA Growth (iDevelopment and Economic Association), the leading trade association for online gaming in the US, released a study showing that in addition to adding a revenue stream for land-based casino operators, iGaming boosts revenue at live properties.
“Fortunately, this new research helps to set the record straight with facts and real evidence from what has happened in states with both iGaming and casinos,” iDEA founder and General Counsel Jeff Ifrah told Card Player at the time.
