Mississippi Lawmaker Shares Fears Over Online Sports Betting

Photo by formulanone from Huntsville, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
Key Takeaways
- Lt. Governor Hosemann cited dangers to young adults
- He questioned the true benefit of a legal market
- A study found almost 40% of college students have gambled online
Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann took to social media to express his concerns about online sports betting.
The Republican lawmaker added a long post to his “X” account on Tuesday expressing his opposition to the industry. Hosemann highlighted the impact of problem gambling on residents and questioned the benefits a legal mobile market would provide.
He closed the lengthy post with a plea for Mississippi Senators to reject future proposals to expand sports betting.
Retail sports betting has been legal since August 1, 2018.
Post Highlights Dangers, Doubts Benefits
Hosemann’s post focused on a pair of crucial messages. The first was the dangers online betting would bring for residents, especially young adults. He didn’t stop there, also questioning the true benefits the state and its residents would receive if online betting were legalized.
The lawmaker didn’t mince words when sharing his thoughts.
Online mobile sports betting increases the risk of gambling-related harm and addiction compared with traditional in-person betting (roughly 1 in 5 people with problem gambler disorder attempt suicide). Our young adults are particularly susceptible and can receive push…
— Delbert Hosemann (@DelbertHosemann) July 7, 2026
Senate Continues to Oppose Expansion
Hosemann directed his post towards the state Senate, which is the next roadblock for legalizing online sports betting. While support has grown, Senate Gambling Committee Chair Sen. David Blount remains staunchly opposed. His concerns mirror those shared by Hosemann, and he’s shown no signs of changing his stance in 2026.
His role in the chamber allows him to easily kill mobile betting bills from the House. That was once again the case earlier this year, when he refused to hold a committee vote for a pair of proposals to legalize the industry.
Blount and other Senators have also questioned the House’s financial projections from a legal online market. They believe it could generate between $40 million and $60 million. However, that number doesn’t include a tax cut for in-person casino operators, which has been included in House proposals. That break would make deep cuts to those projections, minimizing the state's financial benefits.
House Rips Hosemann’s Stance
It didn’t take long for Hosemann’s post to garner a response from industry proponents in the House. Mississippi Rep. Trey Lamar was one of the first to respond, calling out the Lt. Governor for ignoring reality.
Everybody who wants to place wagers on their mobile device does it already today. And so to come out with a statement saying we don’t need it is, in the most respectful way possible, it’s really tone deaf to the reality of what’s going on in Mississippi right now.
The comments reference the emergence of sports prediction markets, which currently operate in the state. These platforms are not considered gambling under federal law, meaning they aren’t required to comply with state gambling laws or licensing requirements. This gives Mississippians a way to wager on sports online, but without any benefit for the state.
Lamar’s words are supported by a University of Mississippi study, which found almost 40% of college students in the state have participated in online sports betting.
Michael is an avid sports fan and a veteran bettor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He learned the trade from his grandfather in Las Vegas as a kid. As an adult, Michael started picking games for a small sports betting site and has built it into a career. His experience allows him to provide tips and information to help other bettors improve their game. Michael cheers for all Wisconsin pro teams, the Arizona State Sun Devils (his alma mater), and the Ottawa Senators. He specializes in baseball betting but has extensive experience in football, basketball, and hockey. When he isn’t pouring over stats, he’s spending time with his two young children or hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
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