Missouri Governor Mike Parson shut the door Monday on efforts by the Missouri House to legalize sports betting. Lawmakers are back in the Capitol as part of a special session called by Parson to deal with a cut in state income tax rates.
Missouri is surrounded by legal sports betting states, and residents have availed themselves of wagering in those jurisdictions. Enough is enough, says State Rep. Dan Houx—he introduced House Bill 4 to legalize sports betting in the Show Me State.
“Sports betting is clearly beyond the call and does not relate to Governor Parson’s topics in the call. I do not anticipate sports betting being a part of special session,” said Kelli Jones, a spokeswoman for Parson.
The governor said it should be introduced again in January instead, according to Yogonet Gaming News.
The legislation, which took many lawmakers by surprise, said casinos could operate a retail sportsbook and at least three mobile platforms. An initial fee would cost $150,000, with a 10 percent tax on adjusted gross receipts with an annual renewal fee not to exceed $50,000.
Along with offering betting in the state’s existing casinos, professional sports teams like the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and the St. Louis Blues hockey team could have betting windows at their facilities, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
According to the proposed law, revenue from taxes would be go into the State Treasury and credited to the “Gaming Proceeds for Education Fund.”
“All the states surrounding us already have it, so we’re losing revenue,” Houx told KMBC. “We had a meeting a couple of weeks back, House Republicans, and every member of the House came up to me and said, ‘Hey, the number one thing we’re hearing from constituents is sports gambling, why we couldn’t get it done.’”
It’s not just the loss of tax revenue—bars and restaurants are also losing money. The Houx bill resembles the one he sponsored last year which fell apart in the Senate due to the licensing fees.
Democratic Rep. Ashley Aune said she’s also heard complaints from constituents that the state is lagging behind its neighbors.
“Missouri should have done this already,” Aune said.
