Gaming

Notified of Approval

HB 520 requires the Mississippi Gaming Commission to work with the Department of Human Services (DHS) to create rules that automatically withhold gaming winnings from individuals with outstanding child support debt. This directly affects people who owe child support arrears by allowing DHS to collect payments from their gambling winnings. The bill establishes a new procedure (via Section 43-19-63) for encumbering these winnings to satisfy child support obligations. It amends existing laws to align with this new collection mechanism, streamlining enforcement without creating new programs. The policy change focuses on using existing gaming revenue streams to recover unpaid child support.

Mississippi HB 1581 legalizes mobile sports betting and online race book wagering within the state. It requires betting platforms to hold specific licenses, implement geofencing to restrict play to Mississippi residents, verify ages (banning those under 21), and partner with licensed casinos. The bill also creates a new procedure (Section 43-19-63) requiring the Gaming Commission to collaborate with the Department of Human Services to withhold gambling winnings from individuals with outstanding child support debt. This directly affects mobile bettors, licensed casinos, and individuals owing child support.

SB 2249 legalizes mobile sports betting and online race book wagering in Mississippi, requiring platforms to hold manufacturer/distributor licenses, verify age (21+), and confirm users are physically in-state. It mandates that licensed casinos partner with only one platform and imposes a fee on gross revenue from these activities. All collected fees are dedicated exclusively to the Mississippi HOPE Scholarship Program, which funds higher education assistance for students. The bill explicitly prohibits all other forms of online gambling (like casino games) and amends existing gaming laws to align with these provisions. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

SB 2626 creates the Mississippi Horse Racing Task Force to analyze horse racing, pari-mutuel wagering, economic development, and the equine industry in Mississippi. The task force, composed of 12 appointed members including state agency representatives, industry stakeholders, and legislative committee chairs, will study existing laws like sections 75-76-55 (gaming regulations) and 87-1-1 (wagering contracts) and submit recommendations to the legislature by December 15, 2026. Members serve without pay and must hold their first meeting within 60 days of the bill's effective date. This procedural bill establishes a study group to evaluate potential changes to gaming and racing laws but does not enact new policies.