The Mississippi Gaming Commission is calling on multiple gambling sites to discontinue their operations in the Magnolia State effective immediately.
According to a release by the commission, letters were issued electronically and by mail to companies operating sports wagering and online casinos illicitly in Mississippi. The online wagering offered by these sportsbooks and gaming sites is illegal in the state, as wagers may only be offered and accepted on the premises of brick-and-mortar casinos.
“Our laws are clear that casino-style gaming and sports wagering are not allowed online in Mississippi, outside of a licensed casino,” Mississippi Gaming Commission Executive Director Jay McDaniel said.
“The MGC will aggressively pursue both domestic and offshore illegal operators, and the MGC is currently providing criminal case files to our state and federal law enforcement partners and requesting prosecution,” he continued. “Companies like those put on notice today mislead our residents by claiming to be legal outlets, when in fact they operate illegally and without providing any tax revenue or other tangible benefit to Mississippi.”
Entities found to be operating in violation of state law include:
- betwhale.ag
- betus.com.pa
- betonline.ag
- mybookie.ag
- bovada.lv
- americascardroom.eu
- ignitioncasino.eu
- lasatlantis.com
- slotsandcasino.ag
- chumbacasino.com
The commission also urges citizens to avoid engaging with any online site that offers gambling opportunities, as the player could be subject to criminal prosecution and loss of money deposited into illegal outlets.
“These sites often promote themselves as legal, but there are no legal exceptions for online sports books or so-called ‘sweepstakes’ casinos,” a statement from the commission reads. “While some games might be advertised as free to play, if there is an opportunity for the player to provide consideration and win something of value, and an element of chance exists in the game outcome, it is gaming under Mississippi law.”
This update comes after a third straight year of lawmakers in the state’s House of Representatives passing bills to legalize mobile sports betting off casino premises before they fell short in the Senate.
