Page 7 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Summer, 2026

MGHA report shares gaming impact with MS Legislature
By David Grisham
MISSISSIPPI — The Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association released its annual State of the Industry Report in March, offering a comprehensive review of the state’s gaming sector in 2025
and underscoring its ongoing economic contributions amid regional competition and revenue fluctuations.
The report, presented to the Mississippi Legislature, details a year of resilience
for the industry, with gross
gaming revenues topping $2.4
billion for the fifth straight year. Association officials highlighted the sector’s role in supporting jobs, tourism and state revenues, while acknowledging declines in certain markets and calling for policy adjustments to bolster future growth.
“Despite growing
competition from
neighboring states,
Mississippi’s gaming industry maintained a strong performance,” the report states, crediting “strategic investments and marketing” for the sustained revenues.
Positives outlined in the document include robust activity along the Gulf
Coast, where casinos generated about $1.5 billion in gaming revenue, remaining stable compared to prior years. Statewide, the industry employed 16,275 casino workers and 3,622 hotel staff, contributing approximately $722 million in wages, including tips and benefits. Tax revenues from gaming reached $289.1 million, with funds directed to the state’s general fund, local governments and infrastructure improvements like roads and bridges.
The report emphasizes the sector’s broader economic impact, noting that casinos attracted millions of visitors, boosting tourism and related hospitality services. “Gaming’s impact is highlighted in every corner of our economy,” said MGHA Executive Director Larry Gregory in the report, pointing to the industry’s support for education, public safety and social welfare through tax allocations.
Challenges detailed in the review include a gradual revenue slide statewide, with adjusted gross gaming revenue estimated
at $2.43 billion — down slightly from 2024’s $2.48 billion and further from
the recent 2022 peak of $2.57 billion. Northern and central riverboat casinos saw steeper drops, with combined revenues falling 4.7% due to cross-border competition.
The absence of statewide mobile sports betting emerged as a key hurdle, with
the report noting that Mississippi’s on- property restrictions limited growth in that segment. Sports betting revenue
dropped 18.8% to $41.6 million. “The return to pre-pandemic
levels and increasing regional competition from
surrounding states” were cited as primary factors in
the declines, according to the report.
Looking ahead, the outlook remains cautiously optimistic,
with the association advocating for modernization
to keep pace with national trends. The report references
failed legislative efforts in 2025 to authorize mobile sports betting, which proponents argued would enhance
competitiveness. “Allowing each of Mississippi’s 26 licensed casinos to deploy one mobile sportsbook platform” could stem revenue losses to neighboring states like Louisiana, Tennessee and Arkansas, where statewide mobile wagering is available, the document states.
Potential expansions, including preliminary approvals for new casino resorts in Biloxi, are also mentioned as avenues for growth, though debates over tideland leases and regulatory restrictions could influence progress.
The report’s importance lies in its role as a data-driven tool for policymakers, providing evidence of the industry’s $3.5 billion combined contribution — including casinos, retail sports betting and lottery
— to Mississippi’s economy. Presented at the start of the 2026 legislative session,
it aims to inform decisions on gaming regulations, expansion and taxation. “When the Mississippi Legislature convened for the first session of 2025, gaming’s impact was highlighted,” the report notes, urging continued support to maintain the sector’s vitality.
SUMMER 2026
MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS 7