Missouri Starts New Push for Legalized Sports Betting and Slots
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:A great deal of effort is going into trying to legalize sports betting in Missouri, and at present, there are four bills in the Senate and four bills in the House that aim to do so.
New Bill Aims to Legalize Sports Gambling and Slots
A recently introduced bill, House Bill 2835 (HB 2835), takes things further and aims to legalize slot gambling as well. Representative Crystal Quade filed the bill last Tuesday and it was read for the second time last Wednesday. If passed it would legalize sports betting and the industry would be regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission.
HB 2835 would also legalize slot machines. The bill would legalize the games, impose taxes and ensure the games are fair. However, while they would be legal across the state, individual counties would have the option to ban them.
The bill also stipulates that businesses housing slot machines would have to place them in an area that is separate from the rest of their offering and where children cannot reach them. A maximum of five slot machines per business would be allowed. If passed, HB 2835 is expected to bring in $500 million in tax revenue.
Residents Concerned about Illegal Slot Machines
Recent times have seen the proliferation of illegal slot machines across the state, which do not contribute tax revenue or have any player protection measures. Representative Quade explained that she has been contacted by constituents concerned about their spread.
No matter where you go, whether it’s a gas station or walking through your neighborhood, they are everywhere. It’s quite a problem.
She believes that as the machines are not going anywhere, it is time for the state to take the initiative and create new gambling regulation regarding them. Furthermore, with legal sports betting available in every neighboring state except Oklahoma, she believes that the practice should also be legalized so that the state can benefit from the tax revenue.
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