Missouri Waits For Stalemate to End Over Sports Betting

Missouri State Senate

Most of the laws agreed in Missouri over the legislative session will become law this coming week except that of sports betting. The state has been in a stalemate with the House passing bills allowing for the activity but then fails when it reaches the Senate.

One such bill sponsored by Rep. Dan Houx over the last two years has always passed the House and would allow for in-person and online sports betting, the first vote passed 118-35 and then even amendments passed 115-33, but both times was knocked back in the upper house of the Senate.

Mike Winter, executive director of the Missouri Gaming Association said on sports betting, “We’ll likely not see as much benefit as we do from our casino games, but there will be some benefits, hopefully with our properties, potentially building out sports betting opportunities and specific rooms, and which would attract more patrons to our casino properties.”

The reason for the impasse, Sen. Denny Hoskins who wants to have included in the bill video gambling terminals, which would be located in truck stops, veterans homes and bars.

The Senator wants them included to raise tax dollars for local veterans and veteran cemeteries, the Senator says that each year there is a shortfall of around $50 million and including video gambling terminals will help with the shortage.

Unless both sides agree the impasse will continue into 2024 and residents will have to travel some 3 to 4 hours each time to place their bets in another state.