In a sweeping move to tighten gambling laws, the Mississippi Legislature has passed Senate Bill 2510, a controversial piece of legislation that significantly expands the state’s prohibition on gambling to include online, interactive, and computerized versions of games. The bill, which took effect on July 1, 2025, also increases criminal penalties for violations and authorizes the forfeiture of assets used in illegal gambling operations. But while proponents hail it as a necessary step to curb illegal gambling, critics argue that it represents a missed opportunity to regulate and tax a booming online industry.
What Does SB 2510 Do?
SB 2510 amends several sections of the Mississippi Code of 1972, explicitly targeting online gambling platforms, including internet sweepstakes cafes and online casinos. The bill declares that any online, interactive, or computerized version of a game of chance—such as online race books, sports pools, and casino-style games—is now considered a gambling device and is therefore illegal under state law.
The legislation also ramps up penalties for violations. Previously, operating an illegal gambling device was considered a misdemeanor. Under SB 2510, it’s now a felony, punishable by fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years. Additionally, the bill authorizes the forfeiture of assets used in connection with illegal gambling activities, including any rights or privileges tied to the operation.
A Crackdown on Online Gambling
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Fillingane, argues that SB 2510 is a necessary response to the growing prevalence of online gambling platforms, which he claims have been operating in a legal gray area. “This legislation sends a clear message: Mississippi will not tolerate illegal gambling, whether it happens in a backroom or on a computer screen,” Fillingane stated in a press release.
The bill also gives the Mississippi Gaming Commission the authority to enter into contingency fee agreements for assets forfeited during prosecutions, potentially providing a new revenue stream for the state. However, critics question whether this will be enough to offset the potential economic benefits of a regulated online gambling market.
A Missed Opportunity for Regulation?
While SB 2510 has been praised by anti-gambling advocates, some industry experts and economists see it as a missed opportunity. Online gambling is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Nevada have successfully regulated and taxed it, generating significant revenue for public services.
“Mississippi is leaving money on the table,” said Dr. Emily Carter, an economist specializing in gaming industries. “By criminalizing online gambling instead of regulating it, the state is missing out on a lucrative source of tax revenue that could fund education, infrastructure, and other critical needs.”
Carter also points out that the bill could drive online gambling further underground, making it harder to monitor and control. “Prohibition rarely works,” she added. “Regulation would allow the state to ensure consumer protections, prevent underage gambling, and generate revenue—all while keeping the industry above board.”
The Impact on Local Businesses
The bill includes exceptions for certain types of gambling, such as cruise vessel gaming and land-based casinos in the state’s southernmost counties, where voters have approved such activities. However, small businesses that operate internet sweepstakes cafes—often seen as a loophole in gambling laws—will be hit hard by the new regulations.
“This bill is a death sentence for my business,” said John Miller, owner of an internet sweepstakes café in Biloxi. “We’ve been operating legally under the current laws, and now they’re changing the rules. It’s not fair to small business owners like me.”
What’s Next?
As SB 2510 takes effect, all eyes will be on how it’s enforced and whether it achieves its intended goals. Will it successfully curb illegal online gambling, or will it simply push the industry further into the shadows? And will Mississippi eventually reconsider its stance and join other states in regulating online gambling?
For now, the message from the state legislature is clear: online gambling is illegal, and those who engage in it risk severe penalties. But as the debate over regulation versus prohibition continues, one thing is certain—Mississippi’s gambling laws are entering a new era.
