Missouri lawmakers should proceed carefully as they consider bringing sports gambling to the state.
They should learn from the mistakes in Kansas, which, as most readers know, enabled sports betting earlier this year. The results have been mixed: Residents and visitors have placed wagers as expected, but revenue to the state has fallen far short of predictions.
That’s in part because the tax rate of 10% is far smaller than in many other states. Additionally, Kansas allows gambling companies to deduct some promotions, including “free” introductory wagers, from their revenue. That further reduces the state’s take.
Kansas legislators wanted to use some of the revenue to lure the Chiefs across the state line.
