Missouri Sports Betting Back on the Table But Not Soon Enough for Chiefs Fans

Sports betting legalization in Missouri took another step toward reality last week, with House Bill 2331 advancing past the Missouri House of Representatives Special Committee on Public Policy Wednesday by a 5-2 vote. State residents are currently unable to access our best sports betting sites.

Proponents of a legal Missouri sports betting platform have been here before. In the past, such initiatives have been discussed and even agreed upon in the state's House, only to die in the Missouri Senate.

Support for legalization, however, has been gaining steam in Missouri with many entities, including all of the state's sports teams, on board. 

The St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis CITY SC, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current have all supported a long-overdue legal sports betting initiative in Missouri. The state's House of Representatives and hopeful members of our best sports betting apps have also rallied around possibly joining the broad and successful U.S. legal sports wagering family.

The plan for legal sports betting has never had such a high profile in the Show-Me-State, with the Kansas City Chiefs ready to go in the biggest annual sports betting event on the U.S. calendar, the Super Bowl, and March Madness just around the corner.

What is House Bill 2331?

House Bill 2331 will allow casinos in Missouri to offer retail, brick-and-mortar sports betting and each would have a chance to gain three skins (mobile sports betting licenses) apiece. The state's professional sports teams would also be able to apply for a mobile license.

If it becomes a reality, the tax rate under HB 2331 would be set at an industry-friendly 10%. Tax revenue would benefit education programs in the state.

HB 2331 will bring a sports betting platform home for Missouri residents, generating much-needed revenue that will stay in the state rather than cross state lines or flow overseas.

A Missouri House of Representatives Special Committee on Public Policy report echoed that sentiment and said: “Supporters say that legalizing sports wagering in Missouri would generate revenue for the State while keeping residents from seeking betting opportunities in neighboring states. Thousands of Missouri residents currently maintain betting accounts elsewhere, resulting in lost revenue for local businesses and the State government. This bill not only secures the interests of players but also ensures player protection through various safeguards.”

Up to the Senate... or not?

Legal sports betting bills are not new to Missouri. The House has proposed Bills in the past, all of which have been stalled in the Senate. It is unclear as to which way HB 2331 will go.

A main obstacle has been the desire of some Senators to include video lottery machines in any legislation, something that has not caught on just yet. Sen. Denny Hoskins is the lawmaker who has made the inclusion of video lottery terminals his project. That project alone has stalled progress on a Missouri legal sports wagering bill.

Missouri sports teams are attempting to circumvent the battle between the House and Senate. The teams, along with some heavyweight hopeful providers, have been working on a campaign called "Winning for Missouri Education" that aims to take the issue of legal sports betting directly to voters on the 2024 election ballot. 

It will require 200,000 signatures to get the initiative on the election ballot. FanDuel has already contributed $1.75 million to the campaign, and DraftKings has contributed a reported $500,000.

The possibilities

The idea of legal sports betting in Missouri is making progress, but 2024 looks out of reach at this point. Even the state's teams and potential operators seem to point more to 2025 with their November ballot initiative. If the initiative makes it to the election ballot, legislation has no chance of making it to the governor's desk by the end of the year.

Sen. Denny Hoskins' departure from the Senate in January 2025 could also open the door for legislation in the state.

Sorry, Chiefs fans, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, or Arkansas sportsbooks will have to satisfy your Super Bowl betting fix this year. But by the 2025 Super Bowl, there remains a possibility that you will be able to place a sports bet from the comfort of your own home.