In a Missouri hearing that ended without a vote, on Tuesday 30 April, it was once again evident there were strong oppositions to the marriage of legal video lotteries and sports betting. It was not Senator Denny Hoskins who carried the bill this time, but House minority leader Crystal Quade.
The chances are that HB 2835 won’t make it very far. The bill was assigned to the Special Committee on Innovation and Technology last week. Casinos, convenience stores, and locations with gambling boats all opposed the first hearing.
Also, there were references to the fact that the Senate planned an early adjournment. A lawmaker said it could adjourn as early as Tuesday. The current legislation would be held up and the lawmakers would need to wait until a special meeting was called. The budget hasn’t been approved by the senate.
Quade’s bill allows for mobile betting statewide and redefines video lottery terminals to be “mechanical amusement machine”. Currently, the machines are operated on a gray market. In Missouri, they are not explicitly illegal or legal. Mom-and-pop stores often use these machines to earn additional revenue.
Casinos in the state have always opposed any idea of combining VLTs with wagering. The casinos claim that the VLTs take away business from them.
Bill Picks “Winners and Losers”
This bill creates buffer zones to prevent gaming machines from being placed near schools or casinos. The Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association criticized the issue.
A representative of the MPCA testified, “Our position would be to pass a law which does not choose winners or losers but allows this anywhere.”
Other speakers noted that, in certain towns, where a school was located at the heart of the town, all gas stations/convenience stores would be prohibited from having these machines. The bill does allow municipalities to prohibit the machines, but only for 180 days after the date of the law’s implementation.
Casinos are against but sporting teams are in support
The majority of those who spoke out were either in favor or against legalized sports betting, or mechanical amusement devices. Not both. St Louis Cardinals support legal betting, but they are neutral on mechanical amusement machine. State’s Casino Association and Home Docks oppose the gaming machines but support legal sports wagering.
Mike Winter, representing the Missouri Gaming Association said: “We are against VLTs (together) and sports betting.” The VLT operation has a negative effect on our casino.
The casino’s in Missouri have spent $3.5bn, he said. “Changing the playing field is unfair.”
Marriage and VLTs are a common conversation
Quade acknowledged that the bill was brought late, but she heard enough from constituents about both topics to want to open the discussion.
Missouri was tipped to be the first state in 2018 to legalize sports betting. Since then, lawmakers have discussed the issue, but they haven’t been able come to an agreement, largely because Hoskins wanted to combine VLTs with wagering during multiple sessions. In two separate sessions, he filibustered to stop the passage of stand-alone bills on sports betting. Hoskins’ term will expire at the end this year.
While lawmakers continue to consider legal betting, sports teams in the state are gathering signatures for a ballot initiative. According to the group, it has enough signatures for inclusion on the ballot. This initiative will legalise mobile betting statewide at 10% tax. The digital platforms must be tied to existing casino or professional sports teams.
