Senators seek higher tax rate at hearing for bill to legalize sports wagering in Missouri

Senators seek higher tax rate at hearing for bill to legalize sports wagering in Missouri

Article brief provided by Missouri Independent
  • Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent
April 7, 2022 12:26 AM
  • Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent

If the Missouri Senate debates a sports wagering bill that passed the House last month, it will likely include a higher tax rate and more money to combat problem gambling.

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At the close of a hearing on the bill Wednesday, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Dan Hegeman didn’t specify what tax rate on sports wagering profits he would like to see. But he did say he wanted it to be higher than the 8% approved in the House, noting that the bill started with a 10% tax and legislation introduced in the Senate has set it as high as 21%.

Others on the committee, as they questioned professional team executives and gambling lobbyists, also showed they are not satisfied with the House bill.