Missouri Legalizes Sports Betting, Wisconsin & Mississippi Wait

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Updates on Sports Betting Legislation in Missouri, Mississippi, and Wisconsin

Last year, Missouri successfully legalized sports betting, with the change taking effect in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, there have been ongoing discussions about Mississippi possibly taking sports betting online, a topic that has been in limbo for about six years despite the presence of retail betting shops.

In Mississippi, the situation has been relatively stagnant, with both tribal and commercial casinos periodically floating the idea of online betting but then not pursuing it further. This pattern might continue without significant advancement in the online sector.

On the other hand, Wisconsin faces unique challenges regarding sports betting legislation. The state's issue primarily revolves around getting the powerful tribal entities to reach an agreement that also satisfies commercial operators. While there is some activity at the beginning of the year, the outcome remains uncertain, and it's difficult to predict whether sports betting will gain legal status there any time soon. Lawmakers have other significant issues on their agenda, making it uncertain if sports betting will become a priority this year.

As legislatures reconvene and lawmakers resume work, the development of sports betting laws in these states, particularly Wisconsin, will be closely monitored to see if any substantial progress is made.