Many Missouri residents and bettors are wondering when they will be allowed to place sports wagers from the comfort of their own home, rather than driving across state lines.
Some clarity about Missouri sportsbooks has been provided by state House.
After working their way through committees, House bills 2502 and 2556, which legalize sports betting in the state, were approved by the full chamber in a 115-33 vote on March 24. The legislation moves to the state Senate for consideration.
HB 2502 enacts 14 “new sections relating to sports wagering, with penalty provisions.”
The state Senate will now take up the House bills and try to reconcile any differences from Senate bills and make changes. There had previously been legislation in the Senate — SB 1046, sponsored by Sen. Dan Hegeman, and SB 1061, sponsored by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer — that are mirror bills authorizing sports betting in the Show-Me State.
Missouri’s professional sports teams have advocated for the legalization of sports betting, with support ramping up this year as franchises lobby alongside the state’s casinos.
Missouri Gambling Timeline
Here’s how Missouri got to this point:
1984
Missouri legalizes gambling with the approval of a state lottery.
1992
Missouri legalizes riverboat casinos, despite only being able to offer games of skill, according to the Chicago Tribune.
1993
The Missouri Gambling Commission is formed to “regulate excursion gambling boats.”
1994
Amendment 6, which permits games of chance on Missouri gambling boats, is approved.
June 2016
Missouri becomes the 10th state to legalize Daily Fantasy Sports websites as HB 1941 is signed into law. It is regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission following the guidelines of the Missouri Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act that was set to go into effect later in the year.
May 14, 2018
The U.S. Supreme Court rules, 6-3, to eliminate a 1992 Federal Law that banned sports gambling in the majority of states. States are now able to decide whether they will legalize sports betting or not.Aug. 28, 2018
HB 2535, which would legalize sports betting on state-regulated platforms in Missouri, is introduced. It was one of three sports gaming bills that did not advance.
June 2019
Illinois officially legalizes sports betting. Several sportsbooks are open by 2020, attracting Missouri residents to drive over state lines to wager on sports.
March 4, 2020
SB 567, authorizing the Missouri Lottery Commission to offer legal sports betting, is considered by the Missouri State Appropriations Committee. It fails, among others.
Jan. 14, 2021
SB 18 is introduced and is followed by SB 218 and SB 256 on February 2, 2021. Though they have different details, all three bills call for the legalization of sports betting for both brick-and-mortar and online platforms.
Oct. 27, 2021
Nine ballot initiatives on behalf of the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis City SC and Kansas City Royals are filed that would legalize sports wagering, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Nov. 8, 2021
Rep. Billy Schwarze makes the case for sports betting in Missouri with the public support of the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues and St. Louis City SC, according to the St. Louis Business Journal. With support from other lawmakers, as well, three bills are pre-filed for the 2022 legislative session.
Jan. 19, 2022
Missouri’s professional sports teams and gambling casinos reach an agreement to legalize sports betting in Missouri, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, proposing a plan at the Capitol.
March 9, 2022
Top officials with Missouri’s professional sports teams, including St. Louis Cardinals president Bill DeWitt III, Kansas City Chiefs Anne Scharf and Jason Thein, legal counsel for the St. Louis City, call on Missouri lawmakers to legalize sports betting, according to the Post-Dispatch
.March 24, 2022
After working their way through House committees, House bills 2502 and 2556, which legalize sports betting in the state, were approved by the full chamber in a 115-33 vote. The legislation moves to the state Senate for consideration.
May 13, 2022
The final day of the 2022 Missouri legislative session.
