The Missouri Senate has failed to vote on a sports betting bill as lawmakers moved to add multiple amendments to the bill including the legalization of the unregulated video gambling machines that are currently available in the state.
Senators and gambling industry lobbyists worked to find a resolution for SB 30 while debating the bill until adjourning just before 8 p.m.
Sen. Karla May said of the debate:
“I’ve been down this road before. I’m OK with sports betting. I think we should have it. The problem is the Legislature is so stubborn and so controlled by special interests.”
Senate President Caleb Rowden said that the Senate’s inability to reach an agreement was “embarrassing.”
“I’m ready to get sports betting done. I don’t think this is a partisan issue. We’ve just kind of been spinning our wheels.”
A coalition comprising the state’s professional sports teams and casinos, along with the support of Rowden and Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, is pushing for Missouri to follow in the footsteps of 33 other states and allow betting on mobile devices, at casinos, and near pro sports venues, such as Ballpark Village near Busch Stadium.
As Wednesday’s debate took place, Republican Governor Mike Parson had scheduled meetings with Kansas City Royals officials, who, like the St. Louis Cardinals, are in favor of the initiative.
Under the latest proposal, all sports betting would be taxed at a rate of 15%, up from the 10% originally included in the bill. However, this was one of the only amendments approved by the majority of the Senate.
The latest bump on the road to the legalization of sports betting in Missouri comes following the House of Representatives giving its approval to legislation just a couple of weeks ago. This is a similar scenario to one that played out in the previous legislative session when the House approved sports betting but the Senate failed to approve legislation due to conflict over video gambling machines.
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.