Tunica, Mississippi, was once hailed as the “South’s Las Vegas,” drawing millions of visitors to its sprawling casino resorts along the Mississippi River.
At its peak in the early 2000s, Tunica ranked among the nation’s largest gambling destinations. But in recent years, the market has steadily declined. The latest blow came with the closure of Sam’s Town Casino, a fixture since 1994, which shut its doors in November 2025 after decades of dwindling demand.
Industry analysts argue that the rise of online gambling and sports betting from offshore and neighboring states has siphoned customers away from traditional casinos, reshaping entertainment preferences and eroding Tunica’s competitive edge.
Tunica Gambling Laws and Market Pressures
Mississippi legalized casino gambling in 1990, allowing riverboat-style casinos along the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast. Tunica quickly became a hub, with Harrah’s, Sam’s Town, and other major operators anchoring the market. However, the state has been slow to embrace online gambling.
While sports betting was legalized in 2018, the law requires wagers to be placed in person at licensed Tunica casino resorts and hotels. Domestic mobile betting remains prohibited, leaving residents without state-regulated online options within state borders. This regulatory gap has left Tunica casinos vulnerable.
Neighboring states like Arkansas and Tennessee have adopted more flexible online betting laws, drawing away customers who once traveled to Tunica. Combined with economic downturns and natural disasters, like the 2011 floods, the region’s casino industry has struggled to recover.
Offshore Casinos and Online Competition
Despite Mississippi’s restrictions, online gambling is thriving through offshore operators. These platforms, often based in internationally recognized gaming jurisdictions, market themselves to Mississippi players, offering casino games and sports betting accessible from home. While technically outside U.S. regulation, they remain popular among gamblers seeking convenience and mobile access.
Boyd Gaming, which owned Sam’s Town, cited “two decades of falling market demand” when announcing the closure. With only five casinos now operating in Tunica, the question looms: can the region survive without embracing digital gambling?
Unless Mississippi lawmakers revisit online betting laws, Tunica’s casino industry may continue to shrink, leaving only offshore Tunica online casinos to fill the void.