Missouri Hearing on Bill to Legalize Sports Betting 2/22
On 02/22 the House Policy Committee will hold a hearing on a bill to legalize sports betting, HB 5202. iDEA’s lobbyist Scott Swain will submit testimony on our behalf at the hearing and be on hand to answer lawmaker’s questions. Over the past few weeks, he has joined a coalition of stakeholders in meeting with lawmakers to advocate for the bill.
There is not expected to be a vote, but our team believes there is support for the bill in the committee. The bill allows for 3 mobile brands per casino and 1 statewide mobile skin for sports teams. Tax rate is 10 percent. The bill is likely to progress through the House over the course of the session, however, there are several other priority issues that lawmakers must consider before sports betting. Also, there continues to be concern over the advancement of VLT bills, which are strongly opposed by the land-based casino industry.
We are working with other pro-sports betting lobbyists to let the sports betting bill proceed on its own – perhaps seeking to obtain a separate vote on the VLT issue.