There is currently no live horse racing being offered in the state of Mississippi. In fact, there is no manner whatsoever for horse racing fans to wager on the sport of kings, unless they opt to cross state lines into neighboring Tennessee, Louisiana or Arkansas, all of which offer live horse racing.
In a bizarre set of circumstances, it is legal for Mississippi horse bettors to make pari-mutuel wagers at the state’s casinos. However, the twist is that all forms of online wagering are illegal in Mississippi. That being the case, none of the online horse services such as TwinSpires, 1/ST BET, AmWager, TVG, or DRF Bets can operate in the Magnolia State. And with no live or simulcast racing in Mississippi, there’s no other way for horseplayers to get action.
Mississippi does offer retail sports betting. But until they opt to legalize online sports wagering, it appears that the state’s horse bettors are out of luck.
Horse Racing History
There was a time when horse racing was a rich and robust part of the Mississippi landscape. However, that was a long time ago, before Mississippi was even a U.S. state.
When Mississippi was a Spanish-held territory in the 1790s, the Fleetfield Race Track in Natchez was a popular destination to both socialize and bet on the races. However, by the 1830s, strong anti-gambling movements fronted by organized religious groups did their utmost to put a stop to all forms of gambling in Mississippi, and horse racing was among the victims of their purge.
Horse Racing Betting in Mississippi (2026)
You can’t legally bet on horse racing in Mississippi in 2026. The state has no live racetracks, no simulcast racing, and no legal online horse betting apps. While Mississippi law technically allows pari-mutuel wagering at casinos, there are no active horse racing events to wager on, and all online wagering remains illegal. Major horse betting platforms like TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets, AmWager, and 1/ST BET do not operate in the Magnolia State. For horseplayers, the only practical option is traveling to neighboring states such as Louisiana, Arkansas, or Tennessee, where live racing and online horse betting are legal.
Mississippi Online Horse Betting FAQs
You must be 21 or older to place horse bets in Mississippi.
No, it does not operate in the state.
There are also no race venues in the Magnolia State.