Missouri Sports Betting Remains a Longshot

Sports betting is legal in more than half of the United States and many more states are considering sports betting legislation. One of those states is Missouri, but the chances of legalized sports betting in Missouri happening this year seems remote. The Missouri Senate is divided between proponents of sports wagering, those who believe gambling shouldn’t be expanded without also legalizing video lottery machines, and those who believe both proposals are bad ideas.

The Missouri Senate has not been able to come to any type of resolution. A vote in the Senate enabled video lottery machines to be installed at truck stops, veterans’ facilities, and fraternal halls. Three Democrats and eight Republicans voted in favor of the proposal, while 13 Republicans and eight Democrats voted against it. John Rizzo, the Senate Democratic leader, stated that “the path is becoming increasingly dark.”

A big part of the problem for Missouri sports betting is the stance of senator Denny Hoskins who is a big proponent of video lottery terminals. Hoskins introduced a bill to legalize both sports wagering and video lottery terminals, and he has been adamant through the whole legislative session that the two should be considered concurrently. The Senate rejected a video lottery amendment that had only three games permitted at each venue. It did not cover bars or regulate the thousands of machines that are already found in convenience stores and other places that offer players cash prizes.

Rizzo said that the Republicans are against any gaming growth. “There are some out there that are attempting to go through the process. But there are a few people who could have an impact who just won’t support any gaming growth since it goes against the Republican Party platform.”

Senator Denny Hoskins and Representative Dan Houx are negotiating potential agreements to move Missouri sports betting forward, but industry sources don’t believe anything is going to happen this year. Hoskins seems to have all of the power. He has said that sports betting should have the same fate as video lottery terminals. He made a motion to incorporate into the sports betting bill recently and his motion was defeated.

Houx is trying to get things moving and he has a strong coalition of professional sports clubs, casinos, and sportsbook operators. Houx’s bill is currently awaiting the Senate Appropriations Committee’s decision. Hoskins is a member of the committee, so he will likely need to support the bill for it to move forward. The question is whether Hoskins and Houx can come to some sort of agreement that would mean a bill that would pass.

When Missouri sports betting is finally legalized it would allow for physical sportsbooks at Missouri’s 13 riverboat casinos. There should also be support for online sportsbooks to operate in the state. One of the hurdles is the tax on winnings from sports betting. Houx’s measure levies a 10% tax on winnings from sports betting. It seems extremely unlikely that type of percentage would make it into a final bill and Houx has said he is willing to negotiate on the final percentage.