JEFFERSON CITY — Putting a question on the ballot asking if voters want to legalize sports betting could provide a path to banning illegal slot machines in Missouri, a top state senator said.
Senate President , a Sullivan Republican, told the Post-Dispatch that the push by professional sports teams in ºüÀêÊÓƵ and Kansas City to bring sports betting to Missouri could eliminate one of the roadblocks that has stymied his effort to ban the machines, which have become commonplace in gas stations and liquor stores.
“The initiative petition may take that item out of the mix,†Schatz said. “It might unwind that a little bit.â€
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The effort to ban illegal slot machines, launch sports betting and approve a regulated and taxed system of video gaming have been intertwined throughout ongoing debate over the past three years, resulting in gridlock.
But last week, the ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals, ºüÀêÊÓƵ Blues, ºüÀêÊÓƵ City soccer club and the Kansas City Royals joined forces to file proposed ballot language that would legalize betting on football, baseball, hockey, college sports and other games.
It comes after the Legislature has debated the issue numerous times without moving forward with a final vote.
Part of the logjam has been opposition from the company that has placed thousands of gambling machines in gas stations and other businesses across the state.
Through Nov. 2, Torch Electronics has contributed more than $240,000 to political action committees connected to former House Speaker Steve Tilley, who represents the Wildwood-based company as a lobbyist.
The latest contribution was a $20,000 infusion to MO Majority PAC on Oct. 27.
Those PACs, in turn, have spread the money to the campaign accounts of lawmakers in an effort to build a firewall against efforts to ban the unregulated machines.
Torch has been taken to court by local prosecutors, but it also is suing the state for harassment after the Missouri State Highway Patrol stepped up its enforcement efforts in an attempt to enforce state laws against illegal gambling.
Against that backdrop, Schatz said he plans to refile legislation that would ban the machines.
“We will continue to pursue a ban on what I believe is illegal,†Schatz said.
The proposed ballot initiatives, meanwhile, are currently in the public comment stage and are not yet being circulated for signatures.
To qualify a constitutional amendment for the ballot, supporters currently need valid signatures from 8% of voters in six of Missouri’s eight Congressional districts.
Each of the proposed initiatives contains slightly different language, including varying tax rates ranging from 6.75% to 21%.
If approved, the proceeds from taxes on gambling would be split between schools and roads.