Mississippi Online Casino Real Money – Gambling Laws in The Magnolia State
Mississippi online casinos are still a difficult topic of conversation as
regulation for the local online gaming industry has yet to happen.
Despite this, the Magnolia State is home to 30 land-based venues and was one of the first states to embrace sports betting.
However, this doesn’t mean residents can’t enjoy playing at online casinos.
Read on to learn how you can gamble online in the state.
Summary of MS Gambling Laws
Mississippi is an open and active state regarding in-person gambling and sports betting. However, state residents can only access offshore online casinos. Here’s a breakdown of what’s legal and what isn’t in Mississippi.
| Gambling | Mississippi |
|---|---|
| Is Online Gambling Legal? | Gray Area (Offshore sites only) |
| Playing at Online Casinos | Gray Area (Offshore sites only) |
| Legal Age Online | 21+ |
| Land-Based Casinos | Yes |
| Legal Age Land-Based | 21+ |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes |
| State Lottery | Yes |
| Social Gaming | Yes |
Is Gambling Legal in Mississippi?
Gambling is legal but the state only regulates certain forms. This includes land-based tribal casinos, sports betting, DFS, and the lottery. See bellow the latest status in 2024 for each form of gambling in Mississippi:
| Gambling | Mississippi Legal Status |
|---|---|
| Casino Gambling | Legal – There are 30 open venues across the state, including riverboat casinos. |
| Poker | Legal – Only within licensed casinos. |
| Horse Racing Betting | Legal – Pari-mutuel horse racing betting at designated venues. |
| Dog Racing Betting | Banned |
| Lottery | Legal |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Legal – Few in-state providers are available. |
| Sports Betting | Legal – Within state-designated premises (even if you use an app) |
| Charitable Gaming | Legal – Games include bingo and pull-tabs. |
| Social Gambling | Legal – So long as no money is exchanged. |
| Online Gambling | Grey Area – Available through offshore sites. |
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Where to Gamble in MS
The state has developed a warm relationship with gambling since its first riverboat casinos set sail in 1991. Today, there are plenty of places to gamble legally, from Tunica to Biloxi.
Casino cruises and sports betting remain hugely popular in the state, while other forms of gambling may soon follow suit.
Land-Based Casinos in Mississippi
Physical casinos are legal, with the state having 30 open venues. There is a mix of land-based and riverboat casinos, while the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians operate three Class III tribal casinos.
Some of the most famous casinos in the state are:
Casinos in MS
-Ameristar Casino Vicksburg, Vicksburg
-Bally’s Vicksburg, Vicksburg
-Bayou Caddy’s Jubilee Casino, Greenville
-Beau Rivage, Biloxi
-Bok Homa Casino, Sandersville
-Boomtown Biloxi, Biloxi
-Casino Magic Biloxi, Biloxi
-Copa Casino, Gulfport
-1st Jackpot Casino Tunica, Tunica
-Fitzgeralds Casino Tunica, Tunica
-Gold Strike Tunica, Tunica
-Golden Moon Casino, Choctaw
-Golden Nugget Biloxi, Biloxi
-Grand Station Casino, Vicksburg
-Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi, Biloxi
-Harlow’s Casino, Greenville
-Harrah’s Casino Tunica, Tunica Resorts
-Harrah’s Gulf Coast, Biloxi
-Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, Bay St. Louis
-Hollywood Casino Tunica, Tunica
-Horseshoe Casino Tunica, Tunica
-IP Casino Resort Spa, Biloxi
-Island View Casino, Gulfport
-Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lula, Lula
-Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Natchez, Natchez
-Magnolia Bluffs Casino, Natchez
-Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant, Biloxi
-Palace Casino Biloxi, Biloxi
-President Casino Broadwater Resort, Biloxi
-Resorts Casino Tunica, Tunica Resorts
-Riverwalk Casino and Hotel, Vicksburg
-Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Tunica, Tunica Resorts
-Scarlet Pearl Casino, D’Iberville
-Silver Slipper Casino, Lakeshore
-Silver Star Casino, Choctaw
-Treasure Bay Casino Biloxi, Biloxi
-Trop Casino Greenville, Greenville
-Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel, Tunica Resorts
-WaterView Casino & Hotel, Vicksburg
Horse & Dog Tracks
Pari-mutuel horse racing betting is only permitted at in-person sportsbooks and casinos. Online horse wagering is not available in the state, while there are no racetracks in MS.
Dog racing is illegal, and betting on dogs at state-regulated casinos is impossible.
Online Sports Betting
Sports betting is only available at licensed casino sites and in-person sportsbook operators. Players can use apps to bet on sports if they are within the licensed venues.
It’s also possible to bet online from anywhere in Mississippi via offshore sportsbooks registered in other jurisdictions. Read more about sports betting sites here!
Bingo Halls and Charitable Gambling
So long as you have a charity license, you can operate a bingo game anywhere in the state.
Magnolia Bingo in Tupelo, for example, hosts bingo nights with $7,500 maximum payouts, with money raised for the benefit of at-risk, abused children in Mississippi.
Lottery
Scratch cards are available statewide alongside the draw game Cash 3.
The state also offers Fireball, Cash Pop, Mega Millions, and Powerball tickets, which are sold at kiosks, gas stations, convenience stores, and similar establishments.
Social Gaming at Home
Social gambling is permitted so long as no money is exchanged
However, it’s very rare for the police to knock at your door if you’re playing blackjack with a couple of college buddies.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
Poker is legal at licensed casinos but prohibited elsewhere.
The Beau Rivage Resort and Casino hosts the biggest poker room in the state, with 16 tables across a two-tiered, non-smoking venue.
Casino Cruises
Mississippi is the home of the casino cruise, but the law changed after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, meaning floating casinos must be permanently moored or built within 800 feet of the shoreline.
These casinos can often look like floating buildings on barges and operate up and down the Mississippi River and into the Gulf of Mexico.
Mississippi Real Money Online Casino Games
There are scores of options for residents who want to test their luck online. The best way to go about it is joining an offshore site available to Mississippians, whether you’re hiking in Homochitto or chilling in downtown New Albany.
Online Slots
You can access hundreds of online slot games from international software developers and take advantage of extra features like free spins, bonus rounds, and progressive jackpots.
Spinning the reels online gives players a better edge because of, on average, higher RTP percentages.
You can also play slots at commercial casinos and Mississippi’s three tribal casinos.
Online Poker
Online poker is readily available at offshore sites. Here, players can find all sorts of modalities and variants like video, online, and live dealer poker.
Additionally, high-profile sites frequently host tournaments that award players large cash prizes.
Those who don’t live on the coast or alongside the Mississippi River have limited options, so offshore poker has become such a popular choice.
Blackjack
Online blackjack is the most popular table game genre at online casinos.
These sites usually pay out better rates than their land-based counterparts, as they aren’t required to pay the same 12% tax that state casinos fork out.
The game is readily available in most of Mississippi’s 30 land-based casinos, but you’re in for a long drive if you don’t live near the coast or the river.
Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games provide a perfect solution for residents who live far from the state’s casino hubs and want to experience the thrills of sitting at a real casino table from anywhere.
These live rooms are hosted by friendly dealers who are streamed through HD cameras; they’re happy to chat with you while you place your bets giving you the best of both worlds.
You’ll find live dealer versions of the most popular casino games, including poker, blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, at the most reputable offshore online casinos.
Other Available Games at Mississippi Online Casinos
The games mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. The best sites offer hundreds of games within an expanding list of categories, as shown below.
Top Bonuses at Gambling Sites for Mississippi Players
Online gambling has surged in the past decade as gamers seek more flexible alternatives within the state. Bonuses are a huge draw to online gambling, and below, we have two of the industry’s finest offerings.
Mississippi Online Gambling Laws
Gambling laws are outlined in the Mississippi Code. The state is largely welcoming of gambling activity. Historically, it has been a state for riverboat casinos operating up and down the river.
In 1990, the state legislature created its casino industry and launched the Mississippi Gaming Commission to oversee it.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Mississippi?
The state does not have any online casinos, but there is no explicit law banning them. Instead, the lack of a legal framework permitting online casinos makes them inviable in the state.
Thus, residents and visitors alike have the only choice of gambling online through offshore sites.
Mississippi does permit online sports betting on licensed sportsbook premises, but the legislation doesn’t stretch to casino gaming.
The Law Generally Welcomes Gambling
This is one of the few states to have an active, thriving riverboat casino industry.
There are 27 commercial casinos and three additional tribal casinos in the state. The Mississippi Gaming Control Act was signed into law in 1990 with the passage of House Bill 2 and paved the way for dockside gambling.
MS Allows Charitable Gaming
MS is a bingo-mad state, and there are plenty of premises that offer charitable bingo gaming on a weekly basis.
*Please be advised that the information provided on this page does not constitute legal advice. Our team strongly recommends you seek professional counsel from a qualified attorney regarding your specific questions or concerns on the topic.
Mississippi Online Gambling vs. Neighboring States
Mississippi is bordered by states that have a more conservative attitude towards gambling than the Magnolia State. Here’s how MS matches up against its neighbors.
| US State | Playing at Online Casinos | State Regulated Online Casinos | Social Casinos | Online Sports Betting | Lottery | Fantasy Sports | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | Gray Area (Offshore sites only) | Not Legal | Legal | Legal (at sportsbook premises only) | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Tennessee | Gray Area (Offshore sites only) | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Alabama | Gray Area (Offshore sites only) | Not Legal | Legal | Not Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Louisiana | Gray Area (Offshore sites only) | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Not Legal | Legal |
| Arkansas | Gray Area (Offshore sites only) | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Mississippi may have a thriving in-person casino industry but its attitude towards online gambling matches its neighboring states.
Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas all haven’t regulated online gambling at the state level yet either, which is why residents in these states utilize offshore sites when they want in on the action.
Tennessee was late to the party and only permitted charitable gaming as recently as the 2000s. It does, however, permit mobile sports betting, which Mississippi does not (unless at a sportsbook premises).
Alabama is perhaps the state most hostile to gambling and doesn’t even run its own lottery.
Tips For Playing at MS Online Casinos Safely
GambleOnline assesses every site we come across for player safety, in order to only recommend secure sites to our readers.
However, you should always exercise caution when joining any site and ensure you are gambling responsibly. Here are some gambling tips to be aware of.
Find a Reputable Site
Only join a site that has passed exhaustive safety tests and has a reliable reputation for looking after its players. Use a list of trusted operators, like ours at GambleOnline.co., to make your decision easier.
Read Reviews
Look at expert reviews of casino sites and make a choice based on your preferences. There’s no need to rush to join a site, and you can always find another one if your first pick doesn’t meet your expectations.
Find Security Guarantees
The best casino sites operate 256-bit secure socket layering (SSL) encryption or Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption as standard. These measures ensure you are protected when playing on desktop or mobile.
Look For A License
MS doesn’t regulate its own iGaming industry, and most offshore sites have licenses elsewhere. It’s worth checking whether your chosen site is licensed and reading those regulations. Most licenses are held in Curaçao, Panama, or Europe.
Find Responsible Gambling Advice
We only recommend casinos that offer a high level of responsible gambling advice. It’s worthwhile checking your chosen site to see how proactive they are when addressing problem gambling. Do they offer help guides, links to charities, deposit limits, and self-exclusion options?
Look For Transparency
Players across Mississippi deserve top standards from whatever site they join, including honesty and transparency. Seek out sites that cut through the legal jargon when detailing their T&Cs. This applies to RTPs, bonus requirements, and deposit methods.
Assess Payment Options
Ensure the payment option you want to use to find your play is available at your chosen site. Many players use VISA or Mastercard to pay directly from their bank, but others prefer cryptocurrencies or e-wallets, so payments don’t show on bank statements.
Mississippi Gambling Pros and Cons
Residents near the shoreline have plenty of options, but those inland do not have as many.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of gambling in The Magnolia State.
Pros
- Abundance of riverboat and tribal casinos to choose from.
- More than 14,500 slot machines in the Gulf area.
- Extensive Mississippi problem gambling resources.
- Access to offshore casino sites while in MS.
- Proposed legislation to permit online sports betting outside of licensed premises.
Cons
- No impending regulation for online casino games.
- MS is losing tax money by not regulating online casinos.
- Players pay 3% non-refundable gambling tax.
When Will Online Gambling Be Legal in Mississippi? Our Prediction
State gambling laws are more progressive than those in neighboring states like Alabama, yet we’re unlikely to see any major changes to the casino industry in the coming years.
HB217 aims to expand sports betting from retail to online in the coming years, and most change on the horizon seems to be on the online sports gambling front, with Casinos showing interest in getting a piece of the action.
The result is that casino gaming is being ignored, and we’re not expecting to see much change to that legislation for some time.
Players who want to gamble online must stay with offshore sites for now, as only six states regulate their online iGaming industries.
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Mississippi Online Gambling FAQs
Want to know more about internet gambling in Mississippi? Here are our answers to the questions players often ask us:
Are there real money online casinos in Mississippi with no deposit bonuses?
Mississippi residents can access real money online casinos with no deposit bonuses but can only do so by joining an out-of-state site. These sites usually operate under licenses in other countries, such as in Europe, and can provide a great range of no deposit bonuses.
How will my gambling winnings be taxed in Mississippi?
Gambling winnings in Mississippi are taxed at a non-refundable 3%. You will need to pay this tax on top of any fees your casino takes when processing a withdrawal.
