Anti-sweepstakes legislation unanimously passed by Mississippi Senate

The Mississippi Senate has voted 52-0 to advance Senate Bill 2104, which looks to prohibit the operation and promotion of online sweepstakes casinos, now moving to the state’s House of Representatives for further consideration. 

SB 2104 was originally introduced by Senators Joey Fillingane and David Blount in January 2026, representing the duo’s second attempt at prohibiting sweepstakes operations in Mississippi after bringing forth similar legislation in 2025. 

Fillingane and Blount revised SB 2104 to include language regarding “internet sweepstakes casinos” and “online sweepstakes casino-style games” within the definition of illegal gambling devices. 

The legislation seeks to prohibit gambling devices which are “offered or made available to a person to play or participate in a simulated gambling program in return for direct or indirect consideration.”

SB 2104 also includes penalties for operating or promoting sweepstakes casinos in Mississippi, such as fines of up to $100,000 and a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years for operating the gaming type. 

If approved by Governor Tate Reeves, the sweepstakes ban would go into effect on July 1, but must first pass through Mississippi’s House of Representatives prior to reaching the Governor’s desk.

On February 2, a group of 66 Mississippi employees at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi, currently owned and operated by Bally’s Corporation, voted to join Teamsters Local 891 in the hopes of securing higher wages, better benefits and improved job security.

The group includes bankers, front desk workers and cashiers, having joined more than 6,000 casino workers in the US who are currently represented by respective Teamsters unions.