The countdown to sports betting in South Mississippi begins

Last week, gambling regulators approved rules regulating sports betting in Mississippi. Now, state regulated casinos will begin taking sports bets as soon as July 20^th.

The state gaming commission unanimously approved the rules last Thursday without discussion. This will allow people to place bets legally on professional and some amateur sporting events inside Mississippi casinos for the first time.

News 25 spoke to Hard Rock Hotel and Casino General Manager Todd Raziano. Raziano says the Hard Rock plans to have sports betting available to the public by football season. “We are working on the design of a sports book area in the casino. We are working on the platform and actually how we are going to be able to execute the sports betting activities and so we’ve been working on that and as I said, now we have a clear vision. We’ll be able to get that executed and be off and running.”

Planning and permitting is underway at most or all of the 12 casinos in South Mississippi. Friday, July 20^th, will be the first day sports bets can be placed at any one of the 28 Mississippi casinos.