Mississippi Targets Online Gambling with New Senate Bill 2510
Mississippi lawmakers are taking aim at online gambling with Senate Bill 2510. Sponsored by Senator Joey Fillingane, the bill seeks to outlaw various forms of internet-based gambling in the state and ramp up penalties for those operating illegal platforms.
What Senate Bill 2510 Proposes
SB 2510 is a sweeping measure designed to crack down on online and interactive gambling. If passed, the bill would:
- Ban Online Casinos: Any internet-based casino games, including sweepstakes-style platforms, would be prohibited.
- Prohibit Online Sports Betting and Horse Racing: The bill extends its reach to online sportsbooks and racebooks, reinforcing the state’s existing restrictions.
- Classify Online Gambling Devices as Illegal: Interactive or computerized versions of gambling devices, like slot machines, would be treated as unlawful under the bill.
- Increase Penalties: Violations would be upgraded to felony status, carrying harsher legal consequences.
- Enable Asset Seizures: Authorities could confiscate property tied to illegal online gambling operations.
The bill also clarifies that “internet cafes” and “lottery casinos” are considered illegal activities under Mississippi law. Additionally, it defines simulated gambling programs that offer monetary or prize-based rewards as violations.
If approved, SB 2510 would go into effect on July 1, 2025, further tightening the state’s gambling regulations.
What’s Legal Under SB 2510
Not all gambling would be off the table. The bill allows for gambling activities in specific settings, such as:
- Licensed land-based casinos in Mississippi’s southern counties.
- Riverboat casinos operating in approved areas.
- Marketing promotions and games specifically designed for minors under 18.
The bill aims to strengthen Mississippi’s control over gambling activities within its borders by targeting unauthorized operations.
A Sign of Broader Gambling Discussions
At the same time, a competing proposal, House Bill 682, has been introduced to legalize online sports betting in Mississippi.
While SB 2510 seeks to ban online gambling entirely, HB 682 looks to regulate and license it through partnerships with casinos and approved sportsbook operators.
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