Illinois Neighbor Missouri Goes Big On Online Casino Legislation

Legislation for online casinos in Illinois is pending, but it isn’t the only Midwestern state contemplating the expansion of gaming.

Missouri, a neighboring state, also has an online casino bill, HB1364, which aims to legalize sports betting, online casinos, and online poker.

To put it lightly, it’s a highly ambitious piece of legislation.

If you haven’t been keeping up, Missouri has been attempting to expand online gaming for years, but without any success.

The State Senate has prioritized sports betting, and there is now a bill in the lower chamber of the Missouri Legislature that could make it legal.

The bill filed by Rep. Dan Houx in the House also includes poker and online casinos.

Here’s a look at the contents of the Missouri online casino bill.

The Missouri virtual casino act appears favorable for providers.

Each brick-and-mortar game receives three skins from the act. This has a maximum of 39 skins, given there are 13 riverboat casinos in Missouri.

Moreover, the tax rates are quite low. The revenue from sports betting would be taxed at 6.75%, the smallest rate in the US, shared with Iowa and Nevada.

Just to clarify, Illinois imposes a 15% tax on sports betting revenue.

If it passes, a 12% tax would be imposed on online poker, slots, and board games. This would be the lowest rate in the nation.

Furthermore, the tax rate for the Illinois virtual casino act is 12%.

Casinos in MO would have to spend $50,000 to get a license, but the annual renewal would only cost $20,000.

If the invoice manages to pass in the House, which is not a sure thing, it will face a tough challenge. It will then move to a Senate that has had difficulty agreeing on any form of sports betting model.

Governor Mike Parson of Missouri, who has the power to veto, might also not be in agreement. Parson has made no comments on the subject yet.

Will Illinois’s virtual casino come first?

It appears that Illinois is currently more likely to pass legislation regulating virtual casinos than Missouri.

Illinois has, at the very least, approved sports betting and has a recent history of expanding gaming.

That being said, Illinois faces competition from its neighboring states. Missouri has proposed a bill, and although Indiana’s latest online casino legislation has failed, it is likely to be reconsidered in the future.

Casinos in Illinois close to the Missouri border, like Argosy Casino Alton and DraftKings at Casino Queen, would gain advantage if online casino is legalized before Missouri does. This would also prove beneficial for the state.

comprehensive policy

Who Supports and Opposes Major Gaming Proposals in Illinois: There are multiple pieces of gaming legislation currently pending in Illinois. This is a rundown of those who are in support and those who are opposed to these proposals.

Cross-border playing between Illinois and Missouri

Sports gambling is currently allowed in Illinois but not in Missouri.

Thus, for Missourians to legally place bets on sports, they can choose to cross state boundaries and either bet through their mobile devices or go to a casino in Illinois.

As mentioned before, suburban St. Louis is home to Argosy Casino Alton and DraftKings at Casino Queen.

Currently, Argosy Casino Alton ranks as the second most popular retail sportsbook in Illinois, with foot traffic from Missouri certainly contributing to its popularity.

That being said, River City Casino, Hollywood Casino St. Louis, and Lumiere Place Casino Resort are the three establishments within the same region, situated on the Missouri side of the border.

Currently, Illinois is benefiting from Missouri foot traffic. However, the situation could reverse if Missouri pioneers an online casino before Illinois.