Missouri could approve sports betting

Sen. Denny Hoskins is pushing SB767, which would authorise sports wagering in order to receive further income from gambling.

US.- Sports wagering is gambling’s hot topic in the US as the Supreme Court is expected to rule and revoke the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), triggering the segment nationwide. Betting on sports is illegal almost everywhere in the country but states are getting ready for kick off should SCOTUS rule in its favour.

In Missouri, Sen. Denny Hoskins has added a sports wagering clause to a slot machine piece of legislation in order to generate up to a yearly US$60 million revenue. The bill is set to be debated in the upcoming weeks and could “undergo further changes before it gets to the full Senate,” Hoskins said.

Mike Winter of the Missouri Gaming Association assessed the main purpose of the bill, which is legalising slot slot machines in bars and convenience stores and said it would be the largest expansion of gambling since voters approved the casinos: “This is a very substantial change in policy (…) We do have considerable concerns with the legislation,” he said.

Executive director of the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Operators Association Ron Leone said his clients support the legislation: “We think it will be good for state and local tax coffers. I know budgets are tight.”