Chapter Twenty-Two: Will Sports Wagering Thrive in Missouri?
## Chapter Twenty-Two: Will Sports Wagering Thrive in Missouri?
In this installment of “The Political Arena,” Brandon Busman and Robin Harrison welcome Mike Whittle, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel for the St. Louis Cardinals, to explore the prospects of sports wagering in Missouri.
**Homepage > Sports Wagering > Chapter Twenty-Two: Will Sports Wagering Thrive in Missouri?**
Chapter Twenty-Two: Will Sports Wagering Thrive in Missouri?
Missouri’s efforts to authorize sports wagering have been repeatedly blocked in recent years. Two recent proposals, Senate Bill Thirty and House Bill Five Hundred Fifty-Six, made some headway but ultimately failed to pass.
However, the situation may be on the verge of change. The St. Louis Cardinals, part of a group of professional sports franchises in Missouri, submitted a new request last month to bring sports wagering to the “Show Me State.”
“We’ve been actively promoting this legislative process,” Whittle stated. “Initially, the work was primarily undertaken by the league.
“I believe over the past three years or so, we’ve come together with other sports teams in Missouri and have been collaborating to advance this.”
It’s Merely a Matter of Time
Considering the slow progress of sports wagering in the state, it’s not surprising that teams like the Cardinals are becoming directly involved. Whittle believes this will be advantageous for all parties involved.
Our association believes that wagering on sports is a powerful method to boost fan involvement, while also being a fresh source of income for the state administration.
However, with just over a year remaining until the 2024 US presidential election, how will the Cardinals achieve their objectives? In the end, the fans have the final say, and they can elevate sports betting to the top.
“We are certain in the citizens of Missouri and our supporters. We believe we have a duty to serve them and advance this, rather than being in a situation where all the surrounding states are legal and we are in an uncomfortable position.”
Money, money, money!
In the end, the association’s proposal is not substantially different from the proposal previously approved by the Missouri House of Representatives.
“Our proposal is not significantly different from what the Missouri House passed; there are just some minor structural variations,” Whittel explained.
“In most cases, including the suggested tax rate, it’s the same 10% tax rate that the House passed, and the charges are actually likely to be slightly higher.”
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