by Camden Doherty
Missouri News Network
A House bill legalizing sports betting, sponsored by Rep. Dan Houx, R-Warrensburg, was given final approval by the Missouri House of Representatives on Thursday, March 23 but still has some hurdles to clear in the Senate.
Houx said he had discussed sports betting and a separate video lottery terminal (VLT) legislation with Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, and plans to continue discussions as the House bill is considered in the Senate.
Both Republicans and Democrats believe HB556 could die in the Senate due to Hoskins and his push for regulation of VLTs. Last year Hoskins filibustered his own amendment to block a vote on sports gambling.
House Democrats spoke in support of sports betting.
“We’ve been talking with the Senate and we are hopeful that we can find a path, a clean path forward for sports betting,” said Rep. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City.
“I do think that we’re likely to run into the exact same roadblocks that we always have,” Aune said.
But the Senate leader was pessimistic.
“I’d be more surprised than not if it (sports gambling) passes this year,” President Pro Tem Sen. Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, said last week.
State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Platte County is not as pessimistic as the Senate leader.
On Monday of this week, Luetkemeyer told The Landmark:
“We’re still working through some issues, but I remain optimistic that we can get something to the governor’s desk. It seems pretty silly to me that someone has to drive over to Kansas to place a bet on the Chiefs. Every time that happens, it’s tax money leaving Missouri that could be used to support our schools.”