With the coronavirus pandemic derailing the Missouri legislative session, sports betting stands little chance of passage this time around.
“It is unlikely that any policy bills will pass,” Rep. Phil Christofanelli, sponsor of one of the six sports betting bills filed this year, told Legal Sports Report.
The Missouri Legislature came back April 7 after a coronavirus break. But only 10 lawmakers, all wearing masks, were allowed on the floor at any one time. Legislators passed a coronavirus emergency aid package and supplemental budget to provide funding until the end of June. That could set up a special session to address the budget in June, extending the usual May 8 deadline.
Missouri was expected to be one of five states most likely to legalize sports betting in 2020. The industry favored Christofanelli’s bill because it didn’t include video lottery terminals or mandate use of official league data. If lawmakers abandon linking sports betting to a VLT bill that adds slot machines at bars and restaurants, Missouri could pass a sports betting bill in 2021.
