The University of Mississippi is seeking $2 million in annual state funding to launch a gambling research initiative as lawmakers continue debating the future of online sports betting. University officials say the proposed program would provide independent research to help inform gambling policy and responsible gaming efforts across the state.
The University of Mississippi’s proposal would split the requested $2 million in annual funding between two initiatives designed to expand the state’s understanding of gambling-related harm and improve access to treatment.
Half of the funding would support the university’s Center on Collegiate Gambling, which launched earlier this year as a research hub focused on student gambling behavior, sports betting, and the impact of wagering on college athletics.
The remaining $1 million would be used to establish gambling treatment clinics across Mississippi. The University of Mississippi would serve as the primary location, with additional clinics planned at Mississippi State University, Jackson State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi. According to the researchers, the expanded network would help address a gap in treatment access.
The University of Mississippi’s funding request also arrives as Mississippi lawmakers remain at an impasse over online sports betting. While the House has approved mobile sports betting legislation for three consecutive years, the Senate has repeatedly blocked the proposals. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann recently reaffirmed his opposition over concerns about gambling-related harm and the potential impact on the state’s casino industry.
Against that backdrop, university researchers have emphasized that their proposal is not intended to advocate for or against legalization. Instead, they say the initiative would provide independent research on gambling behavior and expand treatment resources regardless of whether Mississippi ultimately legalizes statewide mobile sports betting. As policymakers continue debating the issue, the proposed centers could provide additional data on sports betting to help inform future legislative decisions.
The proposal is driven in part by research suggesting that gambling-related harm is becoming a larger public health issue in Mississippi. According to the university’s presentation, an estimated 4% of adults in the state meet the criteria for gambling disorder, while many more experience gambling-related problems without ever seeking treatment.
Researchers also highlighted concerns on college campuses. A recent survey of Mississippi’s public universities found that roughly 40% of undergraduate students had gambled within the past year, with sports betting among the most common activities. The study also found that students who bet on sports were significantly more likely to exhibit signs of moderate or severe problem gambling.
University officials argue these trends demonstrate the need for additional research and prevention efforts, regardless of how Mississippi’s online sports betting debate ultimately unfolds.
Mississippi’s online sports betting debate is expected to continue when lawmakers return for the next legislative session. Supporters are likely to renew efforts after the House approved legalization for a third consecutive year, while Senate leaders, including Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, remain opposed.
Until both chambers reach common ground, mobile sports betting is expected to remain unavailable, leaving retail wagering at licensed casinos as the state’s only legal sports betting option.
