A Missouri lawmaker has introduced a measure to bring sports betting and interactive digital games to the Show-Me State.
House Bill 2835, sponsored by Rep. Crystal Quade, has been introduced in the Missouri House as a piece of legislation that aims to authorize online and retail sports betting and interactive digital games played on mechanical amusement devices.
The devices are player-activated terminals that can exchange coins and accept electronic payments. Under HB 2835, terminals must be approved by the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) and are required to have a license to operate. License applications to provide interactive digital games via terminals would cost operators up to $25,000. For prospective retailers, a nonrefundable application fee would cost no more than $1,000.
Licenses awarded to operators and retailers are valid for one year with four-year renewal periods. If a license is renewed, annual fees for operators would reach $10,000 annually.
Renewal fees after the initial one-year period for retailers would be $1,000. The proceeds for license applications would be allocated toward the state’s general revenue fund after law enforcement conducts background investigations on entities that apply for a license.
Framework for sports betting in Missouri
HB 2835 would authorize sports betting in Missouri for patrons 21 years old or older with no wagering on college sports permitted. Under the measure, Missouri would implement a 10% tax on adjusted gross receipts generated by operators. The majority of adjusted gross receipts would be deposited into the state treasury to support public education.
Online gambling operators that are seeking a wagering license in Missouri are required to pay an initial application fee of up to $150,0000 while gambling boats must pay a fee of up to $100,000. The proceeds would go into the MGC’s fund. Renewal fees for sportsbooks after one year would not exceed $350,000, while boats are to pay no more than $50,000.
HB 2835 also requires the MGC to develop a report to assess the social and economic impact of gaming in the state, which would include a study of compulsive gambling.
Missouri residents show support for sports betting
Last month, Winning for Missouri Education secured more than 100,000 petition signatures in support of sports betting in the state via ballot initiative. The coalition, which represents six of Missouri’s pro sports teams, needs to collect 180,000 signatures for the ballot initiative in November. Winning for Education projects to collect at least 300,000.
The coalition includes the Kansas City Royals and Super Bowl LVIII champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.
