Mississippi Senate Bans Online Sweepstakes Casinos

• The Mississippi Senate is the first legislative body in the country to ban online sweepstakes casinos
• The Senate approved the bill by a 44-1 vote
• The legislation now heads to the Mississippi House of Representatives

Online sweepstakes casinos may not have much time left in Mississippi.

The Mississippi Senate became the first legislative body in the country to approve a bill to ban online sweepstakes casinos, forwarding SB 2510 by a 44-1 vote.

Sen. Joey Fillingane’s (R-41) legislation, which places online sweepstakes games and sweepstakes casinos on the state’s prohibited games list, now heads to the House of Representatives.

Bill Heads to House of Representatives

Fillingane’s bill amends a state law to include “any online, interactive, or computerized version of any game as defined in section 75-76-5 or any other game of chance or digital simulation thereof, including, but not limited to, online race books, online sports pools, and online sweepstakes casino-style games, is hereby declared to be a gambling device, and the offering for play or operating an online or interactive platform that offers for play such games within the state of Mississippi, shall be deemed unlawful under the provisions of this section.”

“Many Mississippians have no idea when they’re on their device that they’re even breaking the law because it looks completely legitimate, they look just like legal online betting sites,” Fillingane said during the Senate hearing on the bill.

The legislation will raise the potential penalty for sweepstakes operators from a misdemeanor to a felony, with each violation potentially resulting in a fine of no more than $100,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Operators could also face forfeiture to the state of “assets, rights, and privileges” in connection with the violation.

Fillingane also said the legislation will affect illegally operating online sportsbooks and casinos, such as Bovada, that have operated in the state.

Cease-and-Desist Letters Do Not Work

Fillingane noted that the Mississippi Gaming Commission has sent two rounds of cease-and-desist letters to five of the largest illegal gaming operators in the state, yet none have responded.

This bill, he said, will give the state more power to enforce its gaming laws.

“That is in fact the need for this legislation. Again, the legislation does not target people who are on their devices mistakenly playing an illegal game. We’re only targeting online operators, the people who put the platforms up, not the end user,” he said.