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ACKSON, Miss. —
The Mississippi Gaming Commission has confirmed sports betting is now legal throughout the state.
A representative for the state gaming commission said the vote was unanimous.
The new rules will take effect in 30 days.
The U.S. Supreme Court last month struck down a federal law that bars gambling on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states.
In 2017, Mississippi changed its law to allow sports betting as part of a bill legalizing and regulating fantasy sports.
Under proposed rules, casinos would pay state and local taxes worth 12 percent of the wagers minus payouts. Bets could only be taken in casinos.
The executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission Allen Godfry said, “There are sports books. If you have ever been to Las Vegas, you can see how they work. There are odds books, and you pick a bet, whatever you choose, and you put your money down and get a ticket.”
Anyone who places a sports bet with the casinos must be present to buy their ticket.
The gaming commissioner says he hopes this will bring foot traffic from Louisiana and Tennessee to get bets in as well.
