Mississippi Online Casinos

Mississippi is quite liberal about gambling, at least when it comes to land-based wagering. The Magnolia State is home to numerous state-regulated casinos and Native American tribe-owned casinos that offer a wide range of slots, table games, and pari-mutuel betting services. The state also permits charity bingo and the lottery.

As far as online gambling is concerned, the pastime is illegal under the state statutes. Many players try to circumvent the law by playing in offshore-based casinos, without caring about the potential consequences.

In this article, we’re going to talk about the legal status of online gambling in Mississippi and provide our interpretation of gambling laws in the Magnolia State. Read on!

Top 5 Mississippi Online Casinos

Here is a list of our top 5 recommended online casino sites to play at for real money from Mississippi.

	CASINO	RATING	BONUS	PLAY
1	Bovada		100% up to $1,000 Sign Up Bonus	Play Now
2	Vegas Casino Online		300% up to $3,000 Sign Up Bonus	Play Now
3	Slots.lv		200% up to $1,000 Sign Up Bonus	Play Now
4	Red Dog Casino		225% up to $12,250 Sign Up Bonus	Play Now
5	Sun Palace Casino		400% up to $10,000 Sign Up Bonus	Play Now

Is Online Gambling Legal in Mississippi?

It’s hard to give a definitive answer to this question because the state’s laws are vague and outdated. On one hand, the criminal code doesn’t explicitly mention anything about online gambling being illegal. However, section 97-33-7 (1) has a broad definition of devices that can be used for illegal gambling:

“It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, firm, copartnership, or corporation to have in possession, own, control, display, or operate any cane rack, knife rack, artful dodger, punch board, roll down, merchandise wheel, slot machine, pinball machine, or similar device or devices.”

It’s hard to interpret this section because it contains a lot of outdated terms. But from what we could tell, “similar device or devices” could be applied to a PC or a mobile device. Also, engaging in any form of unauthorized gambling is punishable by a fine of up to $500 or 90 days in prison, if the fine isn’t paid.

Furthermore, the MS Gaming Commission, the main gambling regulatory body in the state, also prohibits internet gambling. According to their stipulations regarding online gambling, it’s illegal to place bets on online gambling sites from Mississippi.

It seems that Mississippi has a pretty harsh stance towards online gambling. But what about gambling in offshore-based sites?

Is Gambling on Offshore Sites Legal?

Since Mississippi’s statutes don’t mention anything about gambling in sites that are based outside the US, a number of offshore operators accept players from the Magnolia State. Mississippi authorities haven’t prosecuted anyone from playing in an out-of-state casino, so most people automatically assume that gambling on these sites is legal.

However, we would advise caution because you would be taking a huge risk if you opt for offshore casinos. Our suggestion is to consult a lawyer and get a clearer picture as to whether gambling on the website is illegal.

The Future of Online Gambling in Mississippi

Mississippi was one of the first states to jump on the DFS bandwagon after the state governor Phil Bryant signed legislation that explicitly legalized and regulated daily fantasy sports in 2016. The Magnolia State also has a healthy land-based casino market.

There were several efforts to regulate online gambling in Mississippi. In 2015, Mississippi State Representative Bobby Moak introduced a bill that would have allowed land-based casinos in the state to operate over the Internet. Unfortunately, ever since he was reelected, no advancements have been made on the subject.

When the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, allowing each state to determine its own laws and regulations about online gambling, Mississippi didn’t waste time getting in on the action. On August 1, 2018, the Magnolia State legalized sports betting, but only if it takes place in land-based regulated casinos and sportsbooks.

Since Mississippi is at the forefront of the sports betting industry in the US, it’s only a matter of time before online sports wagering becomes legal in the state. And if DFS takes off along with online sports betting, it will be hard for politicians to pass up iGaming, considering the massive revenue this form of gambling could bring to the state’s economy.

Land-based legal casinos in Mississippi could advocate for the matter as well. They’re losing profit due to illegal offshore gambling, and could certainly use a revenue boost.

All things considered, we don’t see Mississippi launch online casinos anytime soon (in the next 2– 3 years), but at least there have been some discussions on the matter.

Land-Based Casino Venues in Mississippi

There are over 30 non-tribal and tribal casinos operating in Mississippi. All of them are open 24/7, and the minimum gambling age is 21. The most popular games you’ll find in these venues include slots, roulette, craps, blackjack, video poker, baccarat, and poker.

Mississippi legalized riverboat gambling in 1990 and, nowadays, all gambling establishments found in the state are riverboats. Casino operators are allowed to launch operations only on the coast of the Mississippi River and the neighboring counties. What’s interesting is that all casinos in MS are required to be permanently docked and never set sail.

Here are the three most prominent casinos in Mississippi:

Golden Nugget Biloxi Hotel & Casino

Located at 151 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, Golden Nugget is a premium gambling destination for MS residents. The venue has a first-class casino that features over 1,100 slots, 49 table games, and a poker room. There’s also a sportsbook section where you can place bets on all the popular sports in the US. The site also runs frequent promotions and tournaments, offering players a chance to win fantastic cash prizes.

Island View Casino Resort

If you find yourself near Beach Blvd, make sure to visit Island View Casino Resort. This resort is home to the largest casino floor on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, sized approximately 126,000 square feet. Players can choose from 2,600 exciting video slots, as well as all the casino classic games, namely blackjack and poker. And if you join the Player’s Club, you’ll earn points for every $ you spend in the casino room. Once you accumulate a sufficient number of points, you can redeem them for food, hotel stays, and other perks.

Gold Strike Casino Resort: Tunica Hotel & Casino

Gold Strike Casino Resort is situated in Robinsonville, 28.3 miles from Memphis International Airport. It’s home to over 1,200 of the latest slots with regular and progressive jackpots worth thousands of dollars. Apart from these, you can find several table games, including Four Card Poker, Caribbean Stud, Three Card Poker, and Let it Ride. There is also a High Limit Gaming lounge with high stakes games and VIP personalized service.

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