The legal sports betting issue in Missouri has seen some advancement. Lawmakers have pushed sports betting legislation from the House committee to the full House floor. This will see representatives vote on the measures. Missouri sports betting is now one step closer to becoming legal with licensed and regulated options for locals.
Sportsbooks In Missouri See Positive Momentum
Lawmakers met in the House Committee and debated the bills. A preliminary approval vote was made which advanced the measures to the House floor. Representatives heard testimonies from local professional teams like the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Blues, and the Kansas City Royals.
Both measures HB 556 and HB 581 will work in conjunction to regulate the betting market in the Show Me State. Both retail and mobile sportsbooks would be allowed under these bills.
Local casinos would be allowed to offer three online operator licenses. Professional teams would also be allowed one operator license. Sportsbooks would be taxed at a 10% rate and funds from betting would be allocated to education. The market would be overseen by the Missouri Gaming Commission.
Will The Measures Pass?
There is optimism from those in support of the measure. Members of both chambers have shown interest in a regulated market. However, the House advanced a similar measure in 2022 and this bill was stalled in the Senate. More specifically, a vote was not made on the measure due to a filibuster.
The Senate attempted to pass another sports betting bill which would include tying video lottery terminals to the legislation. The House bill did not include these video terminals, and the main sponsor of the Senate bill, Sen. Denny Hoskins, lead the filibuster. Sen. Hoskins’ measure went on the be voted down in the Senate shortly after.
There is a possibility that a similar result could take place, sending lawmakers back to the drawing board once again. While there is a strong desire for a local sports betting market, especially with Kansas already live, the details separate lawmakers.
Locals will have to wait and see if this time around legislation is able to regulate the market. The House will vote on the measures next. While this advancement is positive momentum for a potential sports betting market, there are still several steps needed before a launch.
