Casino operators in Mississippi, along with a large majority of voters, have opposed a proposal to expand online gambling, according to new polling and a formal letter sent to state leaders. The findings arrived as lawmakers debate whether to legalise online casinos and sports betting beyond land-based casino venues. Industry representatives and survey data both point to consistent resistance across the state.
Mississippi Voters and Gambling Operators Oppose iGaming Legalisation: Keynotes from the Story
- Mississippi voters and casino operators have strongly resisted the legalisation of online sports betting and casinos statewide. A January poll commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming found that the majority resisted the expansion of online gambling once voters understood how it would work.
- The survey reported that opposition remained consistent across congressional districts and demographic groups. Resistance increased further when voters learnt that online gambling would allow continuous 24/7 access to casino-style games.
- A coalition of casino operators warned lawmakers that online expansion could harm local jobs and reduce economic benefits from land-based casinos. The group raised concerns about limited tax gains and cited research linking legalisation to higher rates of gambling-related harm.
NAAiG Poll Shows Strong Voter Opposition to Online Gambling
A January survey conducted by Bradley Research Group for the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) concluded that 74.2% of Mississippi voters oppose the legalisation of mobile sports betting after learning it would allow statewide betting on smartphones and other devices. Opposition to iGaming rose to 80.8% once voters learnt that digital platforms would offer casino-style games 24/7.
The NAAiG was established in 2025 to oppose the expansion of online gambling in the United States and includes senior executives from major casino companies. Oliver Barie, Government Relations Director for NAAiG, stated that the poll result clearly demonstrates public opinion on online gambling.
Barie noted:
This data proves that online gambling is a product Mississippi simply does not want. When residents envision what this policy means in practice—the ‘casino in your pocket’ at all hours—they move decisively away from legalisation.
A coalition of Mississippi casino operators, as well as the Pearl River Resorts run by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, sent a letter to the NAAiG on Wednesday, January 21, opposing the legalisation of online sports betting and iGaming. The stakeholders argued that expanding into digital platforms would undermine decades of investment in physical casinos and threaten jobs in the state’s hospitality and gaming sectors.
Coalition Flags Public Health and Revenue Concerns
The coalition’s letter pointed out that many operators who opposed the iGaming expansion have concentrated business interests within Mississippi. It reported that 55% of these properties are located in Mississippi, compared with 22% among operators supporting iGaming licensing.
The letter described this gap as evidence of a difference in long-term local investment. Signatories included representatives from multiple regional casino operators. It cautioned of economic and social risks tied to online gambling and projected reductions in foot traffic at physical casinos, leading to potential job losses and limited tax revenue.
The group anticipates that additional tax revenue would total $11 million (approximately €9.20 million), labelling it as “not a material amount” compared to Mississippi’s $7 billion (roughly €5.85 billion) budget. The letter also highlighted public health risks, citing external studies.
The coalition pointed to research linking the legalisation of online sports betting to a 67% rise in gambling addiction-related search activity and a 30% increase in bankruptcies among households with low savings. Another cited study reported a 372% increase in irresponsible gambling behaviour following legalisation.
Online gambling is thriving across North America, with Canada reporting record-high revenue. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Mississippi continue to debate the proposals as industry leaders and advocacy groups present competing views on the future of gambling policy in the state. The coalition observed:
The people of Mississippi are speaking clearly: they value their communities, their local jobs, and their families more than the minimal tax revenue promised by out-of-state tech companies.