The Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee has heard readings of two bills that propose the legalization and taxation of sports betting in Missouri.
If signed into law, the bills would allow Missourians to bet on sporting events. However, the legalization of video lottery terminals (VLTs) has divided lawmakers on the issue. During Wednesday’s readings, much of the discussion was whether or not sports betting legislation should include the controversial VLTs.
Previous attempts to regulate the machines have caused considerable difficulty to proponents of sports betting due to the fact that some lawmakers insist that they must be included in legislation.
A proposed bill (SB30) by Senator Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville, aims to legalize sports betting in Missouri and introduce a 10% tax on sports wagers. However, the bill does not make any provisions regarding lottery machines.
Another proposed bill (SB-1), submitted by Senator Denny Hoskins, a Republican from Warrensburg and a vocal proponent of legalizing video lottery terminals, addresses both matters. Hoskins’ bill aims to tax sports betting at a rate of 10%, while video lottery terminals would be taxed at 36%.
Hoskins told the committee:
“Each year we put off creating a legal option, the illegal industry grows,”
He added that the slot machines could generate state revenues of $250 million each year.
On Wednesday, officials from the leading sports teams in the area urged lawmakers to take action on sports betting. Despite the Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Current, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and St. Louis City SC supporting the initiative, they expressed reservations about supporting the language legalizing gaming machines.
St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt said:
“We support the sports betting piece. As for the VLT piece, to the extent that it would make it harder for this bill to pass…we will not support it. Our position is that we’d like to see the two issues bifurcated.”
Missouri’s casino operators are support the legalization of sports gambling. However, on Wednesday, Mike Winter, President of the Missouri Gaming Association, representing the state’s 13 casinos said:
“We need an even playing field. There is nothing in this bill that puts the VLT slot machines on an even playing field with the existing slot machines in Missouri casinos.”
The Missouri House is also considering two bills separate that exclusively focus on the legalization of sports betting this session. If the lawmakers fail to pass any form of sports betting legislation this year, sports teams and gambling supporters may explore alternative ways to bring the issue to a future statewide ballot. In 2021, officials from Missouri’s major sports teams filed paperwork to introduce a sports betting ballot measure to voters, but the proposal failed to garner enough support.
Ciaran has been working within the Gambling Industry as a deep analyst since 2019. His deep knowledge and understanding of all the gambling regulations, and processes makes him a true asset, and an always valuable point of view for Gambling Industry News, allowing us to cover every topics from a brand new perspective.