The Missouri House executed a last-minute, longshot parliamentary play Tuesday in hopes of breaking a logjam that has kept the state from legalizing sports betting.
With four days left before the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn, the Republican-led House attached an amendment legalizing betting on college and professional athletic events to an unrelated bill sponsored by the senator who has erected roadblocks to its passage.
The revamped legislation was approved on a narrow 83-65 vote.
Rep. Dan Houx, R-Warrensburg, said he hoped the maneuver would force a vote in the Senate and show Missouri voters that members of the House have been listening to the clamor for sports betting.
