The Mississippi Senate has taken a significant step in prohibiting sweepstakes casinos within the state. Lawmakers voted 44-1 in favor of Senate Bill 2510 (SB 2510), a piece of legislation that not only seeks to outlaw online sweepstakes platforms but also enhances penalties against offshore gambling operators.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Joey Fillingane, was approved in a substituted form and moved forward for further consideration. A motion for reconsideration briefly returned the bill to the Senate floor before it was cleared to proceed to the House of Representatives.
If enacted, the legislation would modify the Mississippi Code of 1972 to explicitly ban sweepstakes-style gambling and introduce stringent penalties for sweepstakes casino operators found violating state laws.
Stronger Penalties for Illegal Operators
Senate Bill 2510 (SB 2510) aims to address online sweepstakes gambling by categorizing such platforms as gaming devices, thus making them illegal under Mississippi law. The measure does not define the term “sweepstakes” with exact precision but applies broad prohibitions to interactive or computerized gambling forms.
In addition to banning sweepstakes operations, the bill increases the severity of penalties for entities that operate illegal online casinos or similar gaming platforms. Under the new provisions, violators could face felony charges with penalties of up to $100,000 in fines or a prison sentence of up to ten years. The bill specifies that these penalties will be applied per incident, signaling a firm stance against illicit gambling enterprises.
During discussions, Fillingane emphasized that the legislation was shaped through cooperation with the Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) and representatives from licensed casino operators. He pointed out that many residents engaging with offshore platforms may not realize their activities are unlawful. The bill, therefore, prioritizes enforcement against operators rather than individuals who participate in the games.
The MGC has previously attempted to crack down on offshore gaming operators by issuing cease-and-desist orders to entities such as Bovada, MyBookie and BetOnline. However, according to Fillingane, none of these companies have acknowledged or complied with these notices.
Industry Backlash Over Legislative Action
The passage of SB 2510 in the Senate has been met with opposition from the Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), which represents several operators, including Fliff, FSG Digital, and High 5 Entertainment. The association argues that the bill unfairly groups sweepstakes casinos with unlawful gambling enterprises, misrepresenting their industry.
In a statement, the SPGA expressed disappointment, stating, “This bill not only misrepresents the nature of sweepstakes gaming—an established and consumer-friendly model—but also sets a troubling precedent by equating these operations with illicit gambling.” The group further criticized lawmakers for protecting brick-and-mortar casinos at the expense of consumer choice and innovation.
The SPGA called on legislators to consider regulatory solutions rather than outright bans, advocating for consumer protections that allow Mississippi residents to enjoy social sweepstakes gaming legally and transparently.
Other States Take Action on Sweepstakes Gambling
While Mississippi is leading the charge with a formal legislative ban, several other states are also examining the status of sweepstakes gambling. Connecticut and Maryland are considering similar measures to prohibit sweepstakes-style gaming platforms, drawing opposition from industry stakeholders.
New Jersey, on the other hand, has proposed legislation that would require sweepstakes operators to obtain a gambling license, integrating them into a regulated framework. Additionally, in New York, Sen. Joe Addabbo has suggested incorporating social sweepstakes sites into broader online casino legislation.
As more states weigh regulatory approaches, the industry continues to push back against restrictions, arguing that legal sweepstakes models offer a form of entertainment that should not be conflated with illegal gambling operations.
Source:
“Mississippi Senate approves sweepstakes casino ban“, sbcamericas.com, February 12, 2025
