Mississippi Gambling Age: How Old Do You Need to Be to Gamble in Mississippi?

What are the gambling laws in Mississippi and how old do you need to be to legally wager on sports and casino? We reveal all.

The state of Mississippi. The birthplace of American Blues music. The birthplace of Oprah Winfrey. Famous for catfish, cotton and Southern charm. But what about its casino and sports betting industries?

Here’s everything you need to know about Mississippi gambling, from gambling laws in the state to the minimum gambling age.

The legal age for most gambling activities in Mississippi is 21 years old. To put things into perspective, let’s outline the legal ages for gambling activities and other activities in the state.

ActivityLegal Age in Mississippi
Casino Gambling21+
Sports Betting21+
Horse Race Betting21+
Poker Games21+
Charitable Bingo18+
Drinking21+
Driving15+

So, you have to be 21 years old to engage in any gambling activity in the state of Mississippi. Well, other than charitable bingo.

The drinking age in Mississippi mirrors that of most legal gambling ages. You can legally obtain a driving license at 15 years old.

Mississippi Legal Gambling Age

Background to Mississippi Gambling

Mississippi gambling laws remain relevant due to the ever-changing landscape in the Hospitality State. However, what many don’t know about is Mississippi’s historic connection to the gambling world.

For a start, the state engaged in betting on horse races during the Spanish rule. And, if you know five-card poker, then you’ll be interested to hear that Mississippi was the place where it was invented!

However, the campaigning for the ban of all forms of gambling caught up with the state back in the 1950s, which forced MS gambling to become a black-market activity for decades.

Five Card Poker Mississippi

The Creation of the Mississippi Gaming Control Act

The Mississippi Gaming Control Act (1990), combined with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (1988), allowed tribal and non-tribal casinos to open in certain areas. However, guidelines were fairly strict.

The Mississippi casino industry faced minimal competition, other than from tribal casinos in neighboring state Louisiana.

Fast forward to today, and those in Mississippi can engage in sports betting and casino gaming while present at a land-based casino in the state. Land-based casinos in Mississippi include:

  • Harrah’s Gulf Coast
  • Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lula
  • IP Casino Resort Spa
  • Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi
  • Margaritaville Resort Biloxi
Harrah's Gulf Coast Mississippi

And that’s just naming a few. But you’re here to read about the gambling age in Mississippi. Specifically, MS legal sports betting age and Mississippi casino age.

The Latest on Mississippi Sports Betting

As of today, you can wager on sports in Mississippi. But only while at a physical, land-based casino. Fully mobile sports wagering is not yet permitted. You must also be of legal gambling age in Mississippi to place a sports bet.

Back in 2018, MS licensed sports betting began. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino and Gold Strike Casino Resort began accepting sports wagers in August 2018.

Now, there is a real push for fully remote sports wagering in Mississippi. States like Maryland and Ohio have just legalized mobile sports betting, so why shouldn’t Mississippi?

New bill HB606 has been introduced in the House of Senate. Time will tell if MS sports betting will become remote in the state.

Mississippi Gambling By Activity

Gambling isn’t just limited to sports and casino. Within each segment of gambling, there are multiple possibilities. Here’s what you need to know about some different types of betting in the Hospitality State.

NFL Betting in Mississippi

In the state, you can only wager on the National Football League if you are in-person at the casino. But that doesn’t phase people.

Similarly, you can just visit a neighboring state where sports betting is legal. For example, you’ve got Tennessee in the North and Louisiana in the West.

Mississippi doesn’t have any NFL franchises located in the state. But the appetite for NFL betting is not reduced because of this.

NFL Betting Mississippi

NBA Betting in Mississippi

Similar to the NFL, there are currently no NBA teams in Mississippi. However, those in the state will be eager to bet on the basketball regardless. And there are plenty of sportsbook promo codes out there for NBA wagering.

Once again, you must be at least 21 years old to bet on the NBA in Mississippi.

Horse Racing in Mississippi

Do you enjoy a bet on the horses? Well, unfortunately, horse racing and horse race betting is strictly prohibited in MS. The only exception to this rule is betting on horse racing on a legal cruise ship casino.

Casinos in Mississippi

As long as you meet the legal Mississippi casino age, you can play casino games in-person.

Mississippi casinos are in fact cruise boats on Mississippi River or on any waters where MS voters have approved gambling. There are also casinos on land, but these are owned by Native American tribes.

Mississippi Gambling Age FAQ

What is the legal gambling age in Mississippi?

The legal Mississippi casino age to gamble is 21. Similarly, you must be at least 21 to bet on sports in Mississippi.

What is the Mississippi legal casino age?

You must be at least 21 years old to be admitted to a land-based casino in Mississippi. You will also only be allowed to wager on casino games in the state if you are at least 21 years old.

Is the drinking age in Mississippi older than the gambling age?

The legal MS drinking age is 21, which is exactly the same age that you need to be to place a casino bet in Mississippi.

Who is in charge of the casinos in Mississippi?

The The Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) oversees the casinos in Mississippi. They set the guidelines, laws and regulations surrounding all this MS casino gambling.

Can you legally sports bet in Mississippi?

Yes, if you are 21 years old you can legally wager on sports in the state. However, you must do so at a sports betting kiosk within a Mississippi land-based casino. You cannot bet on sports via mobile in Mississippi.

Are Mississippi slot games fair?

Yes, all slot games in Mississippi casinos are regulated and approved for public play. That means the slot machines pay out a minimum of 80% RTP and the games are in full working condition.
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