Page 108 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2026

Mississippi Gulf Coast Sportsbooks
story by David Grisham and Lori Beth Susman
photo courtesy of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
The group chat has been buzzing all week. Who’s playing?
Where are we watching? Will there be snacks? And who do
we want to win? Why not make a day of it and head to your
favorite casino where the sportsbook is the ideal place to bet
on the games, enjoy food and drink specials and watch the
big screens—all while hanging with friends.
Mississippi sports betting was legalized in 2018 and since
then casinos have jumped on the betting bandwagon. A
casino sportsbook delivers a special atmosphere on game day.
Large televisions display multiple games at once. Crowds
react in real time. Odds boards update visibly. The shared
energy of cheering, groaning and talking strategy with
strangers creates a communal setting that many describe
as part of the entertainment. For regulars, it becomes a
social ritual, especially when you come with friends. Bettors
recognize familiar faces, exchange tips and experience the
event together rather than alone on a couch.
Sportsbooks come in a variety of styles. There are the large
books where guests can sit at tables and bars or gather on
comfy chairs and couches. Full restaurant service is available,
along with windows where guests can place their bets, ask
questions and then collect their winnings.
There are books open 24/7 and others that have staff
108 | October 2026 during set times during the day, that’s where the kiosks come
in. The kiosks make betting quick and easy without waiting
in a teller line. Betting sheets with odds and other game
information can help you determine the best bets to make.
Don’t forget, the agreed upon rule when it comes to placing
bets is to bet with your head and not your heart. Sure, we
want the Chicago Cubs or Dallas Cowboys to always win,
but when you look at it logically, seeing the spread and noting
the odds, are they really the best teams to place money on?
Of course, not everyone goes to the sportsbook to place
bets. Some enjoy watching the games surrounded by other
fans and sampling the game-day food. Chicken wings are
always a best-seller, but burgers, sandwiches and nachos are
also popular choices, along with pizzas, pretzels and fries and
maybe a salad (or, at least, celery and carrots to go with the
wings).
Don’t forget the craft beers, specialty cocktails and even
adult milkshakes and other unique beverage offerings, all
designed to make the game-day experience even more fun.
So whether you and your buds trash-talk each other’s teams,
compare betting styles or just like loading up on fried cheese
and onion rings, casino sportsbooks are where the action
starts—and the group chat takes it from there.
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living