As March Madness engulfs the nation in a wave of sports fervor, Missouri residents find their ambitions to lay legal wagers on their NCAA brackets effectively benched. This circumscribed predicament prevails in spite of a current warming trend among Missourians towards sanctions for sports betting.
Indeed, the itch to participate in legal sports betting during March Madness continues to escalate within the Show Me State. However, for now, the legislative stagnation concerning sports betting mandates has doused their hopes, relegating such anticipation to the subsequent year. Exacerbating the situation, this impasse comes despite a recent poll by Saint Louis University and YouGov pointing out a considerable affinity for legal sports gambling.
The poll highlighted that six out of ten Missourians are in favor of sports betting legalization as a means of propping up public education. A progress update from Winning for Missouri Education, an advocacy body promoting the cause, asserts that a ballot petition to elevate the issue for November’s voters is progressing well ahead of time.
“The most recent poll underscores that now is the time for Missouri to generate tens of millions in education funding each year by finally legalizing sports betting,” proclaimed Jack Cardetti, a spokesperson for the group. He stated that Missourians value a safe, legal avenue for sports wagers, an endeavor serving dual purposes – stimulating the local economy and backing the state’s students and teachers.
Earlier in this legislative season, two lawmakers from Missouri took the initiative, filing twin independent bills advocating sports betting legalization. With the existing session persisting till May 17, the legislative hopefuls await the third reading of HB 2331. Missouri’s geographical location presents a unique problem that further drives the push for legalized betting.
“We have close proximity to the border enabling us to cross the river towards Kansas and place bets,” stated Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, representing District 9. His comments illustrate the conundrum of losing potential revenue to neighboring states, thereby instigating a push towards state legalization.
Previous legislative sessions have witnessed similar blueprints gaining House passage, only to be smothered in the Senate. The latest wrinkle pivots on Senate dissension over the possibility of the state licensing video lottery terminals.
Whilst the sports betting battle rages, Missouri’s casino industry basks in the glow of increased revenues. With a 14% increment noted, February’s adjusted gross revenue tallied up to an impressive $156.9 million. This figure shines slightly brighter than the reported revenue in February 2023 and is a considerable leap from January’s sum of $135.4 million. Furthermore, the Missouri Gaming Commission revealed a coffer-boon of $32.9 million in gaming taxes from licensed casinos in February, a 13% upsurge from January.