The state of Missouri is making progress on legalising sports wagering in the state.
Four pieces of legislation that would legalise sports betting in the state of Missouri have progressed to the Missouri House of Representatives Emerging Issues Committee.
The Emerging Issues Committee usually deals with legislation that involves ethics and public safety.
Missouri’s betting bills
The four sports betting bills include HB 1024, HB 619, HB 1364, and HB 730 which all aim to bring some form of legal sports betting to the state of Missouri.
The first bill, HB 1024, which was introduced in February 2021 by Representative Cody Smith, aims to legalise both online and land-based sports betting in the state through its riverboat casinos.
The legislation outlines several conditions which include the prohibition of sports betting taking place outside of licensed premises as well as not allowing the targeting of minors and vulnerable people. A tax rate of 6.25% on sports wagering revenue and an annual $50,000 license fee have also been proposed.
Meanwhile, HB 619, introduced by Representative Wes Rodgers in January, outlines industry-standard sports betting provisions such as how facilities can offer sports betting services over the internet.
This legislation calls for sports betting operators to pay a $10,000 annual platform fee along with a tax rate of 6% on any sports wagering revenue.
Another bill, HB 730 which was introduced by Representative Phil Christofanelli in January proposes a 7.75% tax rate on sports wagering revenue. This legislation, like the others that are progressing, would allow online and land-based betting, with operators being required to pay an annual $20,000 platform fee.
The final sports betting bill, HB 1364, which was introduced by Representative Dan Houx, proposes several regulations.
One proposed regulation that would require sportsbook operators that receive more than $10,000 in bets from an individual in a 24 hour period must keep information about that person on file for at least three years.
The bill would also allow for each licensee to have up to three online betting skins, while each of the other three bills only allows for one online skin.
HB 1364 also states that online sports betting platforms must pay an annual licence renewal fee of $20,000 along with a tax rate of 6.75% on sports betting revenue. If this legislation is approved, the Missouri Commission must begin accepting applications for online gambling licenses from 1 July 2021, with licence holders being allowed to launch from 1 September 2021.
What happens next?
If the bills have been considered by the Emerging Issues Committee they will then move to the House floor for a vote.
If successful in the House, they may then advance to the Senate for further legislative approval.
Once the House and Senate are satisfied the legislation may then progress to the state Governor for approval.
