Missouri governor discusses future of sports betting

Sports fans can place a wager in any of Missouri's neighboring states, but not within the borders of the Show Me State. Lawmakers on both sides of aisle say Missouri is playing a losing hand after not legalizing sports betting.

Missouri's governor didn't expand his special session call for sports betting. The topic will have to wait until the General Assembly comes back in January. Last month, sports wagering went live in Kansas. Missourians want to know when it will be legal in the state.  36 states have legalized sports gambling. 60% of bets were made in Missouri. In Kansas, 2.4 million bets on sports were placed in two weeks. Rep. Dan Houx proposed a bill for the special legislative session. He proposed it to keep the conversation ongoing after lawmakers failed to pass it during regular session and to discuss it further.

Missouri governor wants to legalize sports betting in 2023. House Bill 4 allows 21-year-olds to place bets on college and professional teams, but imposes a 10% tax on sports bets. The bill does not address the issue of "grey" slot machines. Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden said it will be a priority next session. Kansas City's director of gaming facilities said there were more than $160 million worth of wagers placed in Kansas city in September. $138 million in prizes were paid out. In the first 10 days after sports gambling went live, about 2.4 million bets were placed.