Missouri sports betting bill heads to Senate
The Missouri State House has given its approval to House Bill 2556.
US.- The Missouri House of Representatives has given its final approval to an amended bill that would allow the use of mobile devices for wagering on professional and collegiate sports in the state. The bill is now headed to the state Senate.
House Bill 2556, introduced by Republican Dan Houx was one of several sports wagering bills that progressed through the Missouri state legislature this year. The bill would allow sports betting online, with a proposed launch date of August 28, just in time for NFL betting on the 2022 season.
Bettors also would be able to place wagers in person at sports venues and in casinos. Gambling boats would be awarded facility licences, and digital platforms would have to apply for an interactive sports platform licence and partner with a facility. Legislators have reduced the proposed tax rate from 10 per cent to 8 per cent.
Under the bill, operators must pay an application fee of $150,000 and a renewal fee of $125,000 if they wish to obtain an interactive sports wagering license.
It´s the fifth time Missouri lawmakers have considered legal sports betting since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was overturned in May 2018. Four pieces of legislation – House Bills 1024, 619, 1364 and 730 – were sent to the state’s senate back in May 2021 but all died in the committee phase.
