First sports bets in Mississippi at two MGM Resorts properties Aug. 1

In Mississippi, the brand-new sports books at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi and Gold Strike Casino in Tunica will reportedly be where the first sports bets in the state will be placed at about noon on Wednesday, August 1.

No other state in the South will have sports betting this season.

According to the Sun Herald…

Both sports books at the two Mississippi casinos owned by MGM Resorts International will open at noon on Wednesday. The premieres come exactly 26 years from the opening of the state’s first casino in Biloxi in 1992.

At the Beau Rivage the first bets will be placed by:

• Willis McGahee, former Miami Hurricanes running back
• Robert Royal, former NFL tight end
• Danny Sheridan, sports analysis and sports handicapper
• Larry Gregory, former director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission and current Executive Director for the Mississippi Hotel and Hospitality Association.

According to David Strow, director of corporate communications for Boyd Gaming …

Two of the Las Vegas-based gaming and hospitality company’s casinos in the Magnolia State are also targeting an early August opening. Sam’s Town in Tunica and IP Casino in Biloxi are looking to welcome sports betting pending approval for the state gaming commission.

Mississippi’s launch of sports betting is on the heels of the regulations taking effect in the state on July 22. It follows Delaware and New Jersey in allowing sports betting since the May 14, 2018 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that struck down the federal prohibition on sports betting [PASPA].

The newspaper reports that it was communicated by representatives from all 12 Coast casinos that they will be offering sports betting.

According to a Monday press release from Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR) …

Via its collaboration with Scientific Games, Horseshoe Tunica and Harrah’s Gulf Coast are targeted for sports betting locations to be available mid-August.

The majority, or all, of Mississippi’s Coast casinos, are reportedly expected to open their sports books in early September, in time for the start of the NFL regular football season, which kicks off on September 6.