Tribal Casinos in Mississippi - 2026 Pearl River Resort Handbook
- Only the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians operates tribal casinos in the state.
- Tribal-owned casinos offer 3,500+ gaming machines and 70 table games across the centrally located network.
- The Pearl River Resort is all three tribal casinos and their adjacent attractions.
Mississippi is home to three Class III tribal casinos, all owned and operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
While the state’s twenty‑six commercial casinos and its growing roster of online Mississippi casinos dominate the Gulf Coast, the Delta, and the River Cities, the Choctaw‑run properties stand apart. These tribal casinos form a centrally located gaming hub in the heart of the Magnolia State, offering a different geographic footprint and a distinct player experience compared to their waterlocked counterparts.
Below, we break down each of Mississippi’s brick‑and‑mortar tribal casinos in detail, with an emphasis on the gaming floors, slots, table games, poker, and everything in between. You’ll also find practical tips on how to get the most out of your visit and give yourself the best shot at walking away a winner.
Mississippi Tribal-Owned Casinos
Tribal casinos in the state of Mississippi operate under federal authority and the MS tribal–state compact*, which was first negotiated in 1994 under then Governor Kirk Fordice.
Following the precedent set a few years earlier (1990) by commercial local MS casinos that opened in Biloxi, the Silver Star Casino was the first to open to the public in 1994. Since then, the Choctaw has added two more full-scale casinos and a smaller travel center that hosts slots and a sports betting lounge.
Below is everything you need to know about the local Mississippi casinos before you plan your trip.
Pearl River Resort
Today, the three Choctaw‑owned casinos operate as part of the broader Pearl River Resort, a full‑scale destination that also features multiple hotels, a wide range of restaurants, a major waterpark, two championship golf courses, entertainment venues, and additional resort amenities.
Although the resort doesn’t match the sheer size or annual visitor volume of the Delta casino corridor, Pearl River Resort leverages its central Mississippi location to draw players from every corner of the state. To some visitors and residents, it’s position away from the coasts and riverfronts gives it a unique advantage.
Tribal-Owned Travel Plaza’s
In addition to the three tribal casinos, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians also owns a travel plaza that hosts a slew of games. While smaller, the Crystal Sky Travel Plaza offers a slew of games and other amenities.
Casino Games At MS Tribal Casinos
Mississippi’s tribal casinos all operate with full Class III gaming under the state compact, giving them the ability to spread dealer‑banked table games such as blackjack, roulette, and craps. They also feature a wide range of electronic gaming options, including video poker, video blackjack, and modern slot titles.
While the lights, sounds, and energy of a live casino floor are more than enough to set the tone for a great night out, the number of available game variations can feel limited compared to what online Mississippi casino games offer players. Even so, the in‑person atmosphere is unmatched, especially if you turn your visit into a weekend getaway and take advantage of everything the surrounding area has to offer.
Online Casinos In Mississippi
Although Mississippi does not permit its land‑based casinos to operate online, players aged 18 and older still have access to a wide selection of reputable offshore online casinos. Each of the platforms listed below has been independently vetted by our team for fairness, game quality, security, and payout reliability, and all hold valid gaming licenses in their home jurisdictions.
While these sites are not regulated by the Mississippi Gaming Commission, they are overseen by established international gaming authorities that require independent testing, certified RNGs, and strict operational standards. This ensures that players can enjoy a safe, transparent, and professionally regulated online gaming experience.
Sports Betting At MS Tribal Casinos
All three tribal casinos in Mississippi offer full retail sports betting, but online wagering remains limited to on‑site players only. If you’re physically located within the casino’s approved geofenced area, you can place bets online through the property’s state‑regulated mobile platform. This system keeps mobile betting tightly controlled while still giving guests a convenient way to wager.
To serve traditional sports bettors, each tribal casino also features a dedicated sportsbook lounge with big screens, comfortable seating, and food‑and‑drink options that make watching the games part of the experience. If you want to bet on sports from anywhere else in Mississippi, you’ll need to use a licensed offshore sportsbook—many of which are bundled with online casino accounts and accept players statewide.