Mississippi Senate Approves Sweeps Ban, Bill Heads to House

banning sweepstakes casinos, with SB 2510 securing overwhelming approval in a 44-1 vote. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joey Fillingane, seeks to amend Mississippi’s gambling laws to explicitly prohibit online sweepstakes casinos and offshore online gambling operations. After a brief reconsideration motion, the bill was batch-approved on Wednesday and now moves to the Mississippi House of Representatives for further deliberation.

Legislative Changes and Increased Penalties

Under SB 2510, the Mississippi Code of 1972 would be updated to classify “any online, interactive, or computerized version of games” as a gambling device, making online sweepstakes-style gambling illegal. The legislation also escalates penalties, reclassifying violations from a misdemeanor to a felony. Those found guilty of operating or promoting illegal online casinos could face up to 10 years in prison and fines reaching $100,000 per offense. Additionally, the state could seize assets, rights, and privileges of operators in violation of the law.

The bill specifically targets operators and promoters rather than individual players. According to Fillingane, the goal is to prevent Mississippians from unknowingly engaging in illegal gambling on platforms that appear legitimate. He cited Bovada, Chumba, Stake, MyBookie, and BetUS as examples of offshore casinos operating in Mississippi without proper authorization.

Mississippi’s Stance on Online Gambling

yet to legalize online sports wagering. Despite previous legislative attempts, online sports betting expansion proposals have stalled in the state Senate. However, a new effort, separate from SB 2510, is under consideration this session.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) has also pursued enforcement actions against offshore gambling operators, issuing cease-and-desist letters to Bovada, MyBookie, BetUS, BetWhale, and BetOnline. Fillingane noted that none of the operators have responded to the MGC’s legal notices.

National Impact and Other States Considering Sweeps Bans

While Mississippi is the first state to approve a legislative ban on sweepstakes casinos, other states are considering similar action:

• Connecticut lawmakers will discuss a sweeps ban this week.
• Maryland is set to hold hearings next month on legislation to prohibit sweepstakes-style gambling.
• New Jersey is exploring a licensing model to regulate social sweepstakes sites.
• New York Senator Joe Addabbo has proposed integrating sweepstakes casinos into broader online casino legislation.

The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA), which represents sweepstakes platforms, has opposed these bans, arguing that they threaten legal marketing tools used by businesses. The group also claims that sweepstakes casinos operate within the law, offering digital entertainment rather than traditional gambling.

What’s Next for SB 2510?

The bill will now undergo review in the Mississippi House of Representatives, where lawmakers will decide whether to advance it further. If ed, SB 2510 would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Source:

Mississippi Senate Approves Sweeps Ban, sbcamericas.com, February 12, 2025.