Newest Missouri Sports Betting Bill Takes Aim At Riverboat Casinos

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Another sports betting bill was introduced in the Missouri Senate yesterday, adding to a total of six bills on the subject between the House and the Senate. While each of them have a chance to expand gaming in the state, this one may be able to attract bipartisan support. 

Missouri Senator Denny Hoskins presented MO S 44 with the intention of having riverboat casinos offer sports betting. The bill would even allow for those same casinos to offer online sports wagering to anyone located within the borders of the state. 

However, if residents wanted to use the online platform, they would still have to register in person at an authorized riverboat location. The intent is to eliminate the chance of any underage gambling. 

What Are The Full Details Of This Bill?

The bill would set up the Missouri Gaming Commission with the responsibility of overseeing the state’s sports gambling industry. They would be in charge of investigating any possibility of corrupt wagering as well as approve of any applications for a sports betting license. 

In order to be approved, you would have to pay an initial cost of only $10,000 dollars as well as an annual fee of $5,000. The Act also calls for a 12% tax for any sports betting revenue and 2.5% administrative fee to be added on betting receipts. 

The same fees apply to online wagering as well. The riverboat casinos that are approved will have the ability to contract that section off to a separate sportsbook operator if they choose. These costs are relatively low compared to other states who have currently legalized sports betting. 

If the bill passes all legislative hurdles and is signed into law, it would come into effect August 28 of this year.