MGM International First To Rollout Sports Betting In Mississippi
Just days after competitor Caesars Entertainment revealed plans to launch sports betting in Biloxi and Tunica, MGM International has announced that their casinos will be the first to accept bets.
MGM’s Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi and Gold Strike Casino in Tunica will start taking sports wagers at 12:00 PM CT on Wednesday, August 1st.
“The two Mississippi gaming resorts, both part of the MGM Resorts International portfolio, will celebrate the occasion with invited guests placing simultaneous first bets in the two locations at opposite ends of the Magnolia State,” reads a statement from MGM.
“These first sports wagers will be placed on the 26th anniversary of the first casino bet made in Mississippi’s modern casino age, when the first pair of dice was rolled at the Isle of Capri in Biloxi on August 1, 1992.”
The historic moment will be marked by opening day festivities at both locations, with a full lineup of invitees that will place the first wagers. Those who will get in on the action early at the Beau Rivage include:
- Willis McGahee, 2-time NFL Pro Bowler (2007, 2011) and former Miami Hurricanes RB
- Robert Royal, former TE for the Louisiana State Tigers and Washington Redskins
- Renowned oddsmaker Danny Sheridan
- Larry Gregory, former director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission and current Executive Director of the Mississippi Hotel and Hospitality Association
The details of what the actual betting lounges will look like are not widely available. The Beau Rivage sportsbook will be operating out of a temporary location outside of the poker room until the conversion of the former Coast nightclub is complete.
What we do know is that both Mississippi sportsbooks will offer a full wagering menu, with seemingly more options than sportsbooks in other states. Rather than just traditional NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, and NCAA sports markets, you will be able to wager on all of the following as well:
- Auto Racing
- College Lacrosse
- Rugby
- Motorcycle Racing
- Truck Racing
- Rodeo
- Bull Riding
- Air Racing
- Olympics
- Pro Bowling Tour
- Arena Football
Another major edge that Mississippi sportsbooks have over other sports betting states is that patrons can wager on local college teams. States like New Jersey and Delaware prohibit betting on home-based teams and events.
The timing is convenient for local sports enthusiasts, as the 2018 college football season kicks off on Saturday, August 25th. Ole Miss Rebels vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders is one of the most high-profile games during the first week of the season, and both bookmakers will have odds posted ahead of the game.
At Bovada, the current Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech betting line has the Rebels as 2-point underdogs in the September 1st matchup at NRG Stadium. Mississippi is 5-13-1 ATS in their last 19 games.
The game starts at 12:00 p.m. ET and will be aired live at Beau Rivage, Gold Strike, and all of the other Mississippi sportsbooks that expect to launch by the start of the season.