Missouri state Senator Tony Luetkemeyer has sponsored Senate Bill 764 which would legalize sports betting and allow wagerers to place bets online or on a mobile device through one of the state’s 13 licensed casinos. Geofencing would ensure the bettor is located in Missouri. Luetkemeyer said the state could realize $50 million in annual revenue from sports betting, money that’s currently leaving the state.
“We’re increasingly seeing people in the state of Missouri who are leaving and going to those other states to place sportsbook bets, and that means we’re seeing money and tax revenue leave the state, money that would ordinarily go to schools,” Luetkemeyer said.
Former state Rep. and Missouri Gaming Commission member Pat Conway said, “I think there’s probably more interest this year than there has been in previous years. I also believe that the people at the table, including the casinos and the communities and other interests, are trying to get together to resolve some of the conflicting issues that have been brought up during the past legislative session,” such as expanding video gambling machines in gas stations, truck stops and bars.
State Senator Dan Hegeman said, “I think we will get hung up again on ancillary issues that go along with wagering, such as video lotteries, and get expanded in gas stations, bars and such like that.”
State Rep. J Eggleston said he’d like to avoid that situation and have the legislature approve the bill’s language. He said, “My understanding is it’s actually the sports teams and the leagues such as Major League Baseball and the NFL that would like to see sports betting. They think that would increase the interest in their sport, which would increase their revenues, so they’re going to write the language that actually goes into law or maybe even into the Constitution if they make it a constitutional amendment. I would rather see us handle it in the legislature if we can.’
