The hope of legalizing sports betting in Missouri this year has dimmed as the Senate’s legislative session ended without addressing House Bill 556, which had been passed by the state House in March. This marks the fifth consecutive year that sports betting legislation has failed to make its way through both chambers.
House Bill 556 Overview
House Bill 556, introduced by Representative Dan Houx, aimed to bring legal sports betting to Missouri. The bill contained several key provisions:
Mobile Skins: The legislation would have allowed up to 39 mobile skins for Missouri casino operators and sports teams.
In-Person Sportsbooks: Sportsbooks could have been opened at the state’s 13 riverboat casinos.
Exclusion Zones: Sports teams would have received an exclusion zone around their venues.
Regulatory Oversight: The Missouri Gaming Commission would have been responsible for overseeing sports betting operations in the state.
Licensing Fees: The bill proposed a license application cost of $100,000 for gambling excursion boats and $150,000 for an interactive wagering platform license. Renewal fees were set at $50,000 and $125,000, respectively.
Tax Revenue: The legislation established a 10% sports betting tax on net revenue, which was estimated to generate over $20 million for the state annually. The revenue was earmarked for the state’s education fund.
Compulsive Gambling Support: House Bill 556 also allocated $500,000 to help address issues related to compulsive gambling.
House Approval and Senate Inaction
House Bill 556 received bipartisan support in the Missouri House of Representatives, passing with a vote of 118 to 35 in March. Following its passage, the bill was sent to the Senate and referred to the Appropriations Committee in early April. However, it remained untouched in the Senate, and the legislative session came to a close without any action taken.
A Continuing Challenge
Missouri’s inability to pass sports betting legislation marks the fifth consecutive year of disappointment for advocates. While the House has shown support for legalizing sports betting, the Senate has yet to follow suit. As a result, Missouri residents and sports betting enthusiasts will have to wait for another year for a potential change in the state’s gambling landscape.