Missouri state Senator Denny Hoskins has announced that he plans to file a comprehensive gambling bill in 2022, including sports betting, horseracing, legalized video gaming terminals at non-casino sites, and onsite and online sports betting.
Hoskins, chairman of the Senate Economic Development Committee, said he believes onsite and online sports betting could generate more than $20 million in annual taxes for the state. “When you talk about eSports, we’re talking about players, playing whether it’s Madden football, whether it’s Halo, whether it’s Fortnite. And there are tournaments all over the United States as well as all over the world with this going on,” Hoskins stated.
The senator has pushed for sports betting in Missouri for at least the last three legislative sessions. In April, he sponsored a bill that would have allowed sports betting connected to existing brick-and-mortar casinos, but it didn’t move beyond the Senate floor. Hoskins’ bill was one of six sports betting bills filed last year.
The measure also would have allowed 10,000 video gambling machines slots at truck stops, bars and fraternal organizations. Current state law does not allow slots outside of state-licensed casinos. But Hoskins said legalizing the machines would produce nearly a quarter billion dollars for K-12 education. He noted thousands of illegal slot machines already are in operation throughout Missouri. Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, a powerful opponent, wants the machines removed, not legalized.
Hoskins also wants to bring horseracing to the state. He recalled in 1984, voters approved parimutuel horseracing by a 3-to-2 margin.
He said, “Missouri has done a lot in the gaming industry. However, we are still behind many of our surrounding states. I would definitely like to get sports betting passed, get video game terminals regulated. Hopefully we can get something passed this next legislative session.”
