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SOURCE-FULL STORY
Biloxi, MS - Capitalizing on opportunities, it's how games are won in sports.
A multi-billion dollar opportunity in sports gaming is presenting itself nationwide. So far only one southern state is capitalizing.
"It's been so well received here and it's so long overdue," said Will Hall, the Race and Sports Book Manager at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi.
It's another busy Saturday for the Sports Book. Hall says it's been that way since the college football season got underway.
In May the U.S. Supreme Court ruled states can now choose whether or not to allow betting on sports.
Mississippi's legislature and gaming board acted quickly, passing laws to allow the bets and tax the revenue.
In under 50 days the the Beau Rivage had Las Vegas-like sports gaming operations up and running.
"I was just amazed at how professional and how fast they implemented everything," said Hall. "And they just threw it together, like almost overnight."
According to the Mississippi Gaming Commission, in September, state casinos took in more than $5.5 million in revenue from Sports Betting.
The state levies a 12-percent tax on the revenue. It's earmarked for highway and bridge maintenance.
That's $660,000 for infrastructure in one month.
If the revenue holds, it'll be around $8 million in a calendar year.
Hall says people feed off the excitement in the Sports Book.
"It really brings an electric, almost like a tailgate party vibe into the casino," he said.
And thus far, the presence of one college football team's fans dwarfs all others.
"Big LSU crowd every weekend," said Hall. "I would rate LSU as our number one fan base."
Dustin Volion and his wife cross state lines, driving an hour to catch the game at the Beau Rivage.
Debbie Torres and her husband drove further.
Biloxi, MS - Capitalizing on opportunities, it's how games are won in sports.
A multi-billion dollar opportunity in sports gaming is presenting itself nationwide. So far only one southern state is capitalizing.
"It's been so well received here and it's so long overdue," said Will Hall, the Race and Sports Book Manager at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi.
It's another busy Saturday for the Sports Book. Hall says it's been that way since the college football season got underway.
In May the U.S. Supreme Court ruled states can now choose whether or not to allow betting on sports.
Mississippi's legislature and gaming board acted quickly, passing laws to allow the bets and tax the revenue.
In under 50 days the the Beau Rivage had Las Vegas-like sports gaming operations up and running.
"I was just amazed at how professional and how fast they implemented everything," said Hall. "And they just threw it together, like almost overnight."
According to the Mississippi Gaming Commission, in September, state casinos took in more than $5.5 million in revenue from Sports Betting.
The state levies a 12-percent tax on the revenue. It's earmarked for highway and bridge maintenance.
That's $660,000 for infrastructure in one month.
If the revenue holds, it'll be around $8 million in a calendar year.
Hall says people feed off the excitement in the Sports Book.
"It really brings an electric, almost like a tailgate party vibe into the casino," he said.
And thus far, the presence of one college football team's fans dwarfs all others.
"Big LSU crowd every weekend," said Hall. "I would rate LSU as our number one fan base."
Dustin Volion and his wife cross state lines, driving an hour to catch the game at the Beau Rivage.
Debbie Torres and her husband drove further.
