Mississippi Residents Targeted by Fake Sportsbook Scam Using Popular Casino Branding

Mississippi is currently facing a surge in scams where fraudsters impersonate licensed sportsbook operators to lure residents into signing up for fake online betting platforms.

• Scammers are sending enticing offers such as $1,500 sign-up bonuses and other deposit promotions.

• These bogus sportsbooks use branding from legitimate, well-known Mississippi casinos, including the Golden Nugget.

• Sports wagering in Mississippi is only legal at physical, brick-and-mortar casinos — online sports betting remains illegal and unregulated.

• Golden Nugget’s General Manager, Chett Harrison, admitted the scams are sophisticated enough to fool even industry insiders.

• Victims receive phishing emails and mailers that direct them to fake gambling sites designed to steal personal and financial information.

• Regulators and gambling operators are working to combat these scams, but the fraudulent schemes persist due to their convincing nature.

• Residents are urged to be cautious, verify email sources, and remember that legitimate online sports betting platforms do not exist in Mississippi.