The bill, which passed 97-14, would require any online sports betting company looking to operate in Mississippi to partner with a brick and mortar casino. Republican Representative Casey Eure, who authored the bill, says it keeps the state from being left behind in this growing market while protecting the interests of the casino industry.
“We worked on this bill for four years, put a lot of work into it making sure that we protected our bricks and mortars but brought a product to Mississippi that Mississippians want,” Eure said.
While an online betting company, like DraftKings, could partner with all 26 casinos across the state, the bill prohibits casinos from partnering with more than one betting platform. Casinos could also create their own platform if they choose.
When the proposal was first introduced, the revenue generated by a 12% tax mobile sports betting was split between the state and the county of the casino a bet was placed. Eure changed it to instead be diverted for road and bridge maintenance across the state to satisfy lawmakers who don't represent a district with a casino.
Democratic house minority leader, Robert Johnson, introduced an amendment to send the revenue from a wager to a casino within a 40-mile radius of where the bets were placed, but it was rejected by his Republican colleagues.
“I don't have a problem with sports betting, but to the extent that we're going to do it, let's make sure that we take care of all the markets in the state of Mississippi.,” Johnson said.
Most of the nay votes came from Republicans. Representative Lee Yancey says that there wasn't a consensus built between local officials and casino owners on the Gulf Coast about what this bill should look like.
“If this kind of thing is going to happen, I'd like to see everyone get on board and work out their differences before they bring it to the rest of us,” Yancey said.
The bill now advances to the Senate.
