Sports Wagering Bills Advance in MO
March 8, 2023
Ezra DeVore
After the Chiefs' victory in Super Bowl LVII, two bills regarding sports betting are advancing in state politics, with one remaining to be discussed this month. This follows concerns regarding a growing urge of citizens to bet on sports. With states like Illinois offering legal routes to bet on sports, many determined Missourians are thought to have made their bets on the Super Bowl across state lines or illegally, which are both seen as problems, as these do not provide revenue for Missouri.
One Representative from St. Peters stated that there is an "urgency" for these bills to be passed, adding that a legal framework for the preexisting desire could help fund state priorities, concluding that with an absence of this framework, Missouri is losing money to our neighboring states, where it is legal.
HB556, the primary bill regarding wagering, has been passed as of March 6 and is anticipated to create ways to wager on Missouri riverboat casinos and would tax sports betting revenue at 10%, with the majority of these funds going to K-12 education.
While both bills were introduced in January, HB556's companion bill, SB30, is expected to be assessed later this month. A number of professional sports teams, casino companies, and commercial sportsbook operators support the bills.
Additionally, there is the issue of video lottery game terminals (VLT), which some see as an option to save some small businesses, as it may bolster attendance and money spent in local bars or other betting establishments. In contrast, others view it as the root of some issues.
Although sports betting often receives support, VLTs bring opposition, and with the two ideas often being legislationally attached, sports betting has been seen as difficult to approach for some time. Concerns range from gambling addictions becoming unseen, as the VLTs are terminals operated solely by the user, to fears that they may not be properly regulated.
Opposing both bills, one representative from the Player's Association of the MLB, MLS, NHL, NFL, and NBA stated that the bills do not provide player protection.
After the Chiefs' victory in Super Bowl LVII, two bills regarding sports betting are advancing in state politics, with one remaining to be discussed this month. This follows concerns regarding a growing urge of citizens to bet on sports. With states like Illinois offering legal routes to bet on sports, many determined Missourians are thought to have made their bets on the Super Bowl across state lines or illegally, which are both seen as problems, as these do not provide revenue for Missouri.
One Representative from St. Peters stated that there is an "urgency" for these bills to be passed, adding that a legal framework for the preexisting desire could help fund state priorities, concluding that with an absence of this framework, Missouri is losing money to our neighboring states, where it is legal.
HB556, the primary bill regarding wagering, has been passed as of March 6 and is anticipated to create ways to wager on Missouri riverboat casinos and would tax sports betting revenue at 10%, with the majority of these funds going to K-12 education.
While both bills were introduced in January, HB556's companion bill, SB30, is expected to be assessed later this month. A number of professional sports teams, casino companies, and commercial sportsbook operators support the bills.
Additionally, there is the issue of video lottery game terminals (VLT), which some see as an option to save some small businesses, as it may bolster attendance and money spent in local bars or other betting establishments. In contrast, others view it as the root of some issues.
Although sports betting often receives support, VLTs bring opposition, and with the two ideas often being legislationally attached, sports betting has been seen as difficult to approach for some time. Concerns range from gambling addictions becoming unseen, as the VLTs are terminals operated solely by the user, to fears that they may not be properly regulated.
Opposing both bills, one representative from the Player's Association of the MLB, MLS, NHL, NFL, and NBA stated that the bills do not provide player protection.