Eighth Gambling Bill Filed As Missouri Session Begins

Missouri Representative Jim Murphy pre-filed HB 2144 on Tuesday, the eighth gambling bill to be pre-filed for the upcoming legislative session that began Wednesday.
The pressure is mounting on Missouri lawmakers after five consecutive years of failed sports betting bills and with nearby states enjoying record sports betting revenues, handles, and taxes.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri lawmakers will have another sports betting bill to consider during the legislative session beginning after Rep. Jim Murphy pre-filed HB 2144 on Tuesday.

Missouri Looks To Finally Pass Sports Betting Bill In 2022

HB 2144 is the eighth gambling bill to be filed for this legislative session – like several of the other bills scheduled to be heard, the bill would regulate both land-based and mobile sports betting in Missouri.

While the impressive amount of already-filed gambling and sports betting bills is surely an encouraging sign that Missouri may regulate sports betting in 2022, this is far from the first year in which the state will attempt to legislate the industry. In each year since the fall of PASPA in 2018, there has been at least one sports betting bill considered by the Missouri legislature.

Pressure Mounting On Lawmakers

While each of these previous bills has failed, it surely seems that the tide of public opinion has shifted dramatically in favor of regulating the sports betting industry in Missouri. Perhaps the most likely reason for this change in perception has been the success of their neighboring states’ legal sports betting industries.

One of the best examples of this is Illinois.

Since regulating sports betting in 2019, they have continued to see growth in both sports betting handle and revenue. As a result, the state has enjoyed an additional stream of tax income.

Iowa – who has seen record sports betting revenues and handles over the last few months – is another example.

The pressure is on Missouri lawmakers to finally get a piece of sports betting legislation across the finish line.

With several options already being discussed on the opening day of the legislative session, the odds have never been better for Missouri to create and launch their own regulated sports betting industry by the end of the year.

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Jerad Paparella

Jerad has been a welcomed addition to the LegalSportsBetting.com writing team. Covering topics regarding the expansion of sports betting in the US, Jerad focuses on legislative efforts, bill signings and other methods for sports betting legalization. Finishing his education as a college baseball player, Jerad has first-hand knowledge of competitive sports, paired with years of personal sports betting as well. As a political science major at the University of Central Florida, Jerad covers the political, legal, and legislative aspects of sports gambling without any issues.