New sports betting bills in Missouri

Media reports from Missouri this week indicate that companion sports betting bills have been introduced to the state legislature to prepare for the possible widening of the sports betting market in Missouri should the US Supreme Court rule against the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in the New Jersey case (see previous  reports).

Titled “Comprehensive Missouri Sports Betting and Sports Protection Act,” the Senate (SB1013) and House (HB2535) bills complement one another and are sponsored by Republican Sen. Denny Hoskins and Republican Repo. Dean Plocher.

The bills would allow for Missouri sports betting on riverboats and online through licensed riverboat’s online platforms.

Observers have immediately flagged the fact that the bills accede to the recommendations of national sports leagues in their “Model Sports Wagering Act” that an “integrity fee” should be paid by operators to such governing bodies, a point of controversy for some states, where opponents of the fee have calculated that it could amount to between 20 and 25 percent of sportsbook receipts.

Kansas lawmakers recently introduced a similar bill (HB2752 currently in committee) with such a provision (see previous report).

The Missouri bills appear to have accepted most of the sports leagues recommendations, including control of data used in Missouri sports and a right for sports leagues to decide which bets are acceptable.

The bills also propose a tax rate of 12 percent on “adjusted gross receipts”, almost double that of neighbouring Iowa, a state where the integrity fee concept has been rejected in similar legislation.

There is also a proposed 2 percent “administrative fee” towards regulatory expenses via the Missouri Gaming Commission Fund.

In a media release this week Representative Plocher observed:

“If federal law changes to allow states to authorize sports betting, Missouri should be leading the nation in implementing an intelligent and controlled/monitored sports betting market. We are one of the biggest sports states in the country and have a robust and effective gaming network at our casinos – so we are as well positioned as any state to implement sports betting.”

The Senate version of the “Comprehensive Missouri Sports Betting and Sports Protection Act,” has been referred to the Senate Committee on Progress and Development chaired by Senator Gina Walsh. It appears to be on the fast track, with a hearing already scheduled for February 28. A positive outcome in the committee could see the bill sent straight to a Senate floor vote.

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