Gambling Age In Mississippi

Minimum Age: 21

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In Mississippi, the minimum legal age is 21 for casinos and sports betting, and 19 for the state lottery, as set by the Mississippi Gaming Commission and Mississippi Code § 75-76-1. This reflects a gambling-friendly state with strict age controls.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling includes 28 commercial casinos, a state lottery, and sports betting (legal since 2018 via HB 152), generating a $3 billion market. Casinos offer extensive games, aligning with your 3,250+ slot interest. Cultural acceptance is high, driven by Biloxi’s tourism and a $120 billion economy, rooted in riverboat gambling since the 1990s.

Online Gambling: Online sports betting is legal but restricted to casino premises, with a $100 million market in 2024. Online casinos and poker are illegal, with a $150 million unregulated offshore market driven by 85% smartphone penetration. Players face no prosecutions, and no website blocking is enforced. A 2024 online sports betting bill failed, with no 2025 progress expected.

Regulation and Oversight: The Mississippi Gaming Commission regulates all gambling, with rigorous licensing. Mississippi is one of two states with statewide casino-style gambling. No online casino framework exists, unlike Kahnawake’s model. The $3.5 billion gambling economy is robust, with 2024 updates boosting tax revenue. 2025 will focus on retail oversight.

Enforcement and Penalties: Mississippi enforces regulations strictly, with fines up to $50,000 or license revocation for operators. Players face no penalties for offshore use. Rural enforcement is weaker than in Biloxi. The $150 million unregulated market is projected to grow 4% in 2025, driven by mobile access, but legalization faces legislative caution.