Mississippi Governor Signs DFS Law Into Effect

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed the state’s new daily fantasy sports bill into law on March 13. The new law outlines multiple consumer protections, as well as operator fees and tax rates.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed the state’s new daily fantasy sports bill into law on March 13.

The state passed legislation legalizing DFS in 2016, but last year’s law was a temporary provision that would have expired on July 1, according to Legal Sports Report.

The new law, HB 967 of 2017, legalizes fantasy contests with an entry fee and grants the Mississippi Gaming Commission oversight authority. Operators will pay a licensing fee of $5,000 over three years, and revenue generated in the state will be taxed at 8 percent.

The law also outlines several consumer protections, including banning employee play at operators, establishing 18 as the minimum age for players, and creating rules for securing data and segregating player and operational funds.

The old law allowed sites to register with the state, but did not include a tax or licensing fee.

DFS operators DraftKings, FanDuel, FantasyDraft and Yahoo DFS are expected to register in Mississippi under the new law.

Mississippi is the first state to pass a DFS law in 2017. Last year, eight states (including Mississippi) passed laws legalizing and regulating DFS.

Recent Articles

History Playbook

On This Day In Sports History

On July 25, 2015, Cole Hamels pitched a 13-strikeout no-hitter to lead the Phillies past the Cubs 5-0 at Wrigley Field—the first no-hitter at the stadium since 1972. Hamels threw 129 pitches, securing the final out when Odúbel Herrera made a dramatic, tumbling catch on a Kris Bryant fly ball to center field. This historic performance marked Hamels' final game in a Philadelphia uniform; after 10 seasons with the club, he was traded to the Rangers six days later.

On This Day In Sports History

On July 24, 1908, American Johnny Hayes won the Olympic marathon in London following a dramatic controversy. Italian runner Dorando Pietri entered White City Stadium well in the lead but collapsed five times from exhaustion. Track officials helped Pietri to his feet each time, enabling him to cross the finish line 32 seconds ahead of Hayes. However, after a protest was filed on the American's behalf, Pietri was disqualified for receiving assistance, and Hayes was awarded the victory.