The Show-Me State may soon be showing you the money as lawmakers in Missouri are considering legalizing sports betting. Currently, the only type of legalized sports gambling in the state is through apps like FanDuel and DraftKings. However, there are now four new bills making their way through the state’s legislative system in Missouri.
The current bills would be far reaching and, if approved, would not only bring in-person sports gambling to Missouri – but would also authorize mobile sports betting. In addition, if authorized, the bills would also permit sports betting on river boats in the state.
The bills are estimated to bring in up to almost $90 million in additional revenue to the Show-Me State. The proposed tax rate being presented as part of the bills is 6.25% – which is quite reasonable in comparison to other state’s proposals.
The bills are being sponsored by State Representative and Chairman of the Missouri House Committee on General Laws Dean Plocher. If you recall, Representative Plocher sponsored legislation to legalize sports betting last year and is again leading the charge this year.
The Missouri Gaming Commission would be the entity charged with regulating all sports gambling activities in the state. They would also be charged with the task of investigating any illegitimate sports betting in Missouri. The good news is that should the bills pass and be issued into laws – they would become effective on or before September 1, 2019.
One of the main entities opposing the bills is The National Council on Problem Gambling. Their argument is that more must be done by the state of Missouri in order to help people who are problem gamblers. However, overall, there is not that much opposition to the bills are currently worded.
State Representative committee members will continue to listen to many hours of testimony from various gaming group before levying a final decision. Luckily, we are not seeing much opposition – like in other states – when it comes to casinos (usually tribal casinos) opposing the measures. To the contrary, the river boat gambling entities appear to be in favor of the bills. Things seem to lining up quite well on the sports betting front in this popular mid-western state.
If all goes well, citizens of the Show-Me state may be able to start betting on pro and college sports – both in person and via mobile devices – by the fourth quarter of this year. There is certainly reason to cheer if you’re a sports gambling fan living in Missouri.
