Chapter Twenty-Two: A Grand Slam for Missouri Sports Wagering?
Chapter Twenty-Two: A Grand Slam for Missouri Sports Wagering?
In the twenty-second installment of “The Political World Series,” Brandon Busman and Robin Harrison welcomed Mike Whittle, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the St. Louis Cardinals, to talk about the advancement of sports wagering in Missouri.
Home > Sports Wagering > Chapter Twenty-Two: A Grand Slam for Missouri Sports Wagering?
Chapter Twenty-Two: A Grand Slam for Missouri Sports Wagering?
For many years, numerous efforts to make sports wagering legal in Missouri have failed. The most recent attempts included Senate Bill Thirty and House Bill Five Hundred Fifty-Six, both of which made some progress before being rejected or left unresolved.
But that could be changing. The St. Louis Cardinals, part of the Missouri Professional Sports Teams Alliance, submitted a new request last month to implement sports wagering in the “Show Me State.”
“We’ve been trying to push this legislation forward,” Whittle stated. “Initially, it was mainly a league-level push, that’s how it was in the early years.
“I think over the last three years or so, we’ve been working with other sports teams in Missouri to try to push this forward.”
It’s Coming Eventually
Considering the slow progress of sports wagering in the state, it’s no surprise that teams like the Cardinals are taking the challenge into their own hands. Whittle believes they’re not the only ones who will benefit.
The organization believes that wagering on sporting events is an excellent method to boost fan enthusiasm for games. It also presents a fresh avenue for the state to generate revenue.
However, with less than twelve months remaining until the 2024 US presidential election, how will the Cardinals achieve this objective? The outcome hinges entirely on the supporters, who possess the authority to transform sports betting into a significant phenomenon.
“We have faith in the citizens of Missouri and our devoted followers. Our priority is to act in their best interests and progress. We cannot be the sole state in the region that prohibits it; it’s an unusual circumstance.”
Financial gain, financial gain, financial gain.
The organization’s proposal closely mirrors the legislation already endorsed by the Missouri House.
“Our proposal is largely consistent with the legislation passed by the Missouri House; there are only a few minor adjustments,” Whittel stated.
“In most aspects, including the tax rate, it aligns with the 10% tax rate approved by the House, and the charges might even be more substantial.”
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