JEFFERSON CITY — A long-running debate over expanding gambling in Missouri fell along familiar fault lines in the state Senate Wednesday as the latest effort to legalize sports betting again became entangled with the proliferation of illegal slot machines in gas stations and bars.
Despite top leaders pushing to bring sports betting to the state, disputes over legalizing the unregulated video gambling machines, as well as general opposition to gambling, were back on display as lawmakers head into the final weeks of their annual legislative session with the issue unresolved.
The Senate debated the bill until adjourning just before 8 p.m., as lawmakers and gambling industry lobbyists worked to find a resolution.
Sen. Karla May, D-ºüÀêÊÓƵ, expressed frustration with the ongoing debate.
“I’ve been down this road before,†May said. “I’m OK with sports betting. I think we should have it. The problem is the Legislature is so stubborn and so controlled by special interests.â€
People are also reading…
Like last year, the House has already signed off on a plan to allow Missourians to wager money on sporting events, leaving the issue to rise or sink in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Senate President Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, called the Senate’s inability to reach an agreement “embarrassing.â€
“I’m ready to get sports betting done,†Rowden said. “I don’t think this is a partisan issue. We’ve just kind of been spinning our wheels.â€
“I think the only way we resolve this is to keep talking to each other,†said Sen. Curtis Trent, R-Springfield.
Along with support from Rowden and Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, a coalition of casinos and the state’s professional sports teams want Missouri to join 33 other states in offering betting on mobile devices, at casinos and at locations near the pro sports venues, like Ballpark Village adjacent to Busch Stadium.
Wednesday’s debate unfolded as Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, was scheduled to hold meetings with Kansas City Royals officials, who, like the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, are among the teams supporting the initiative.
Under the latest proposal, bets would be taxed at a rate of 15%. Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, who is sponsoring the Senate version, had originally sought a 10% tax rate, but it was boosted to 15% through an amendment sponsored by Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City.
Under the taxing scheme, the plan could generate an estimated $30 million for the state in its first full year of operation. Cities that are home to casinos would receive an estimated $3.2 million.
The measure also sets aside $1 million to combat compulsive gambling.
Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, pointed out that the money set aside for compulsive gambling programs was significantly less than what is being spent in other states.
“One million dollars is a drop in the bucket,†Hoskins said. “I do have a concern the tax rate is too low.â€
Hoskins and May have pushed to legalize video slot machines, while also ridding the state of unregulated and untaxed video gambling devices that have flooded gas stations, liquor stores and other outlets.
Hoskins wants to earmark some of the taxes from expanded gambling for programs benefiting military veterans. He had hoped to use taxes from legalized slot machines to generate revenue.
“Sports book alone doesn’t get us there,†Hoskins said. “Sports book is not the golden goose.â€
Rep. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance, said the prevalence of video slot machines in his district is alarming.
“There is concern about kids having access to them,†Schroer said.
Supporters of sports betting say slot machines and sports betting should be dealt with separately.
Sen. Steve Roberts, D-ºüÀêÊÓƵ, attached an amendment to double the $2 fee casinos pay for each patron they admit. The $4 fee also would be charged when people cast a bet on a mobile device. He said the amount hasn’t been changed in 30 years. The added proceeds would go to help programs for veterans.
“I think this is more than fair,†Roberts said. “Our veterans’ homes are suffering now and I think this would be a positive way to help.â€
The Legislature’s lack of action on the illegal slot machines has resulted in the filing of two federal racketeering lawsuits in hopes of gaining clarity on whether companies like Wildwood-based Torch Electronics can continue to operate the devices.
Torch, by contrast, is suing the state for “harassment and intimidation.†A trial in that case has been set for July 31 in Cole County.
Torch last year pumped $240,000 into political action committees linked to its Capitol lobbyist, former House Speaker Steve Tilley. Those PACs have since spread campaign cash to members of the Senate, including Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove.
Moon attempted to require any expansion of gambling be subject to a vote of the people.
“People ought to have a say,†Moon said. “I think we need to let the state as a whole chime in.â€
His proposal failed on a 9-22 vote.
Schroer attempted to add XFL games to the roster of sports available for betting. That would allow the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Battlehawks to gain access to a lucrative betting license.
The measure was defeated on a 13-17 vote.
The ongoing impasse hasn’t stopped Missourians from attempting to gamble in neighboring states like Illinois and Kansas, where it is legal.
Figures compiled by GeoComply, which tracks attempts to place bets based on the location of a mobile phone, found that during the most recent National Football League season, 8.7 million attempts by Missourians to place bets in other states were blocked.
Of those, 46.3% tried to access sports books in Kansas, while 39.4% of tried to place bets in Illinois.
“As of last week, all but one of Missouri’s surrounding states have legalized sports betting,†said Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville. “This means Missouri’s tax dollars are leaving our state.â€
The legislation is .