Missouri Pushing To Legalise Sports Betting

Missouri State Senate

Missouri is making strides to keep up with its neighbouring states, with its latest efforts to legalise sports betting and slot games.

Currently, Missouri is sandwiched among states where sports betting is a legalized activity, with the exception of Oklahoma. This includes states such as Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. The state faces an additional issue concerning the rampant spread of illicit slot machines. These machines operate without any taxation or player protection safeguards, a problem that legislators in Missouri are striving to mitigate.

At present, there exist four proposals in both the Senate and the House, focusing on the legalization of sports betting and gambling, primarily slot machines. The most recent proposal seeks the simultaneous legalization of both sports betting and slot machines, introduced by Rep. Crystal Quade and read for the second time in the state House.

The proposal, referred to as House Bill 2835 or HB 2835, seeks to legalize sports betting under the vigilance of the Missouri Gaming Commission. This commission would be responsible for regulating the betting landscape, overseeing the taxation process, and handling other procedures such as licensing.

HB 2835 also advocates for the legalization of slot machines. While it proposes a statewide legalization, it provides individual counties with the discretion to permit such devices. The bill aims to legalize slot machine gambling, impose taxes, and ensure a fair gaming experience for the players.

If the proposal gains momentum, the state is anticipated to gain approximately $500 million in tax revenue. Businesses housing slot machines would be required to place them in a separate area, unreachable by minors. Moreover, a limit of five slot machines per business would be implemented.

Rep. Crystal Quade, the sponsor of HB 2835, has stated that she has received numerous concerns from constituents across the state about the widespread illegal slot machines. She believes that as these machines are not going away, it is time for the state’s lawmakers to enforce regulations. While discussing sports betting, she acknowledged its growth in neighbouring states. According to Quade, her proposal would bring in valuable tax revenue that would benefit public safety, education, and other vital state programs.