Online sports betting bills in Missouri and Mississippi moved forward Thursday, and a hearing is set for a Hawaii proposal late Friday Eastern Time, as state legislatures across the country continue to consider next steps for wagering.
The Mississippi House amended HB 774'to include a 12% tax rate before passing it out of the chamber. It is the first time an online sports betting bill has gotten through at least one chamber of the state’s legislature, despite repeated attempts.
The proposal is one of two nationwide to pass a full state legislative chamber this session. Georgia senators Thursday approved a mobile betting bill that will be sent to the House. The Senate amended that bill to require that the decision of whether or not to legalize goes to the voters.
Mississippi lawmakers also considered an amendment to count a wager placed on a mobile betting app within 40 miles of a brick-and-mortar sportsbook to be considered gross revenue for the closest retail sportsbook, but that amendment was tabled. The amended bill, which requires digital sportsbooks to be tethered to brick-and-mortar casinos, passed by a vote of 98-8, and will be sent to the Senate for consideration.