Missouri: Companion bill introduced by Representative Houx
February 4, 2022
As previously reported, Sen. Hegeman introduced a reasonable bill that would license mobile sports betting that represents compromise between MO casinos and professional sports franchises. A companion has been introduced by Rep. Houx; neither addresses the VLT issue. Sen. Hoskins, who has led the effort to legalize sports betting and VLT’s is said to be very angry and threatening to block the sports betting bill. Meanwhile the President Pro Tem of the Senate opposes legalization of VLT’s.
iDEA’s lobbyist Scott Swain is working with other pro-sports betting lobbyists will be working to either persuade Hoskins to let the sports betting bill proceed, or to isolate him – perhaps seeking to obtain a separate vote on the VLT issue.