Sports betting revenue in Mississippi increased year-on-year in January despite the Magnolia State reporting a decline in handle.
Monthly revenue amounted to $6.7m (£5.3m/€6.2m) in Mississippi. This was 31.4% ahead of $5.1m in January 2023 and also 36.7% up from $4.9m in December.
These increases came despite players spending less on betting, with total handle for January at $44.6m.
January’s total handle was 22.0% behind $57.2m in the same month last year. It was also some 8.8% less than the $48.9m bet in December 2023.
Life’s a beach: Mississippi coastal casino revenue hits $4.0m
As has been the case for some time, Mississippi coastal casinos were again the most popular with bettors.
Some $29.1m was bet with retail sportsbooks at costal casinos, with revenue hitting $4.0m. Of revenue at these venues, the majority ($1.6m) came from American football betting, with $12.0m wagered on the sport.
Elsewhere, revenue from central casinos reached $1.5m from a handle of $9.1m. Parlay bets offered the best return for these venues, with casinos turning a revenue of $1.1m from $4.0m bets.
Meanwhile, revenue at northern casinos amounted to $1.2m off $6.4m in bets in January. Some $631,180 of this revenue came from American football wagering, with bets here amounting to $2.1m.
Does Mississippi have an online future?
The latest monthly report comes as Mississippi lawmakers consider several bills to legalise online sports betting. At present, consumers in the state can only legally wager on sports at licensed retail sportsbooks.
Earlier this month, House Bill 774, backed by eight state representatives as sponsors, cleared the house and entered the senate.
Key language in the bill includes all 26 land-based casinos in Mississippi being permitted to launch online sports betting. Casinos will only be able to partner with one licensed platform to offer wagering; this would be in addition to any existing retail sportsbook.
Elsewhere, HB271 and HB635 are also seeking to legalise sports betting.
The influx of new bills comes in the wake of HB606, a bill signed last year. This authorised a Mississippi sports betting task force to “undertake a comprehensive analysis” of sports betting.
The bill was initially more expansive, aiming to allow each land-based casino to partner an online sportsbook. However, its reach was significantly cut down in committee.
