Missouri sports fans remain eager for the day they can legally place wagers on their favorite teams without leaving the state. Despite widespread legalization nationwide, Missouri has yet to implement sports betting legislation. Lawmakers and residents alike are left questioning when, or if, Missouri will join the growing number of states offering legal sports betting options.
As the legislative stalemates persist, neighboring states like Kansas, Illinois, and Iowa continue to rake in millions from their legal sports betting markets. Missouri, however, remains on the sidelines, missing out on significant revenue opportunities and leaving its sports enthusiasts frustrated.
The Current Landscape
The push for legalized sports betting began in earnest across the United States following the Supreme Court’s landmark 2018 decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The ruling allowed states to decide whether to legalize and regulate sports betting. Since then, more than 30 states have embraced the change, creating a rapidly growing industry worth billions.
Despite its reputation as a sports-loving state, Missouri has yet to capitalize on this opportunity. Efforts to pass sports betting legislation have been met with repeated delays in the state legislature. One of the main obstacles has been ongoing debates over how to regulate and tax sports betting, coupled with a contentious dispute over video lottery terminals (VLTs). Proposals to integrate VLTs into sports betting bills have sparked disagreements, causing key legislation to stall session after session.
Missouri lawmakers introduced several bills over the past two years aiming to legalize sports betting. However, these bills have struggled to gain the necessary traction, leaving Missouri as one of the few states in the Midwest without legal sports betting options.
A Missed Economic Opportunity
The absence of legalized sports betting in Missouri is not just a disappointment to sports fans—it’s a significant missed economic opportunity. States that have embraced sports betting are seeing substantial tax revenue flowing into their coffers. In Kansas, for example, sports betting launched in September 2022, and by mid-2023, the state had already collected millions in tax revenue. These funds are often earmarked for vital public services, such as education, transportation, and infrastructure improvements.
According to industry experts, Missouri could generate up to $20 million annually in tax revenue by legalizing sports betting. That money could go a long way in supporting public schools, funding community programs, or addressing infrastructure needs. The economic benefits extend beyond tax revenue, too. Legal sports betting could boost local businesses, from sports bars to casinos, and create jobs in the growing industry.
Additionally, Missouri residents currently spend millions betting in neighboring states like Kansas and Illinois. These cross-border wagers represent untapped revenue that Missouri could claim by implementing a regulated sports betting framework. Lawmakers and business leaders alike have expressed concerns over this outflow of money, which benefits neighboring states instead of Missouri communities.
Public Support and Industry Backing
Missouri’s residents have shown increasing support for sports betting legalization. Many voters believe it’s time for the state to modernize its gaming laws and join the many others that have successfully regulated sports betting. The state’s major sports teams and businesses have also lent their voices to the cause, recognizing the potential for increased fan engagement and new revenue streams.
Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis Blues could see a surge in fan interaction and sponsorship opportunities through legalized betting. Partnerships between sports teams and betting operators have become commonplace in legalized states, benefiting teams financially while enhancing the fan experience.
Casinos, another major stakeholder, are eager to add sports betting. Many of Missouri’s casino operators have reported losing customers to neighboring states where sports betting is already available. Legalization would mean these businesses would stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
What’s Next for Sport Betting Missouri?
The future of sports betting in Missouri hinges on the next legislative session. Lawmakers are expected to revisit the issue in 2024, with many hoping to resolve the disputes that have stalled progress in previous years. Advocates believe the growing momentum and increasing public support could finally tip the scales in favor of legalization.
One potential breakthrough could be separating sports betting legislation from the controversial VLT debate. Some lawmakers have suggested that addressing these issues independently might help move both topics forward without derailing the other.
Missouri’s delay in adopting sports betting laws has left it playing catch-up in a fast-moving industry. However, there is hope that 2024 will bring the clarity and consensus needed to bring sports betting to the Show-Me State.
The Waiting Game
Missouri residents remain in a holding pattern, either traveling to neighboring states to place their bets or resorting to unregulated, offshore betting platforms. Both scenarios represent lost opportunities for the state in terms of revenue and consumer protection. A regulated market would provide a safer, more secure environment for bettors while ensuring that the state benefits from the activity.
Missouri’s sports enthusiasts, businesses, and lawmakers will have to wait and see if 2024 finally brings the green light for sports betting. Until then, the question remains: When will Missouri join the roster of states embracing this lucrative industry?
Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the developments in Missouri’s push to legalize sports betting.