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Missouri 'gray machines' legalization bill heads to state Senate
The Missouri House of Representatives has approved legislation that would create a regulated system for gaming terminals outside of the state's casinos.
For the second consecutive year, the Missouri House of Representatives has voted to send to the state Senate a bill that would establish a legal way for businesses in the state to host gaming terminals. This legislation comes on the heels of a federal court ruling certain terminals in Missouri illegal and could find a tougher road in the Senate.
HB 2989 clears Missouri House
On Feb. 18, the Missouri House of Representatives voted 83-66 with one abstention to approve HB 2989. HB 2989 needed at least 82 votes in favor to pass the House and only advanced after debate on the chamber floor.
According to Sarah Kellogg of St. Louis Public Radio, the conversation on the floor before the vote centered on the concept of creating a system to regulate gaming terminals that have been operating in Missouri businesses without licensure. Members opposing the bill felt that regulating the terminals was rewarding potentially illegal activity, while proponents claimed that creating a regulated system is the best way to distinguish between illegal and legal gaming.
Although Missouri has 13 land-based casinos, these "gray machines" are common throughout the state in businesses that possess liquor licenses. HB 2989 would charge the Missouri Lottery with regulating terminals in such places if it becomes law.
The bill also earmarks tax revenue from the machines to support education. However, it could be a moot point for a second consecutive year in light of a recent court decision and the chances for HB 2989's passage in the Missouri Senate.Â
Courts could still decide fate of gaming terminals in Missouri
Licensed brick-and-mortar casinos in Missouri remain the only legal option for playing casino games with best odds in the state. Kellogg reports that Missouri Senate leadership "have already indicated that they do not see a path forward" for HB 2989 in their chamber, so the bill seems unlikely to get to Gov. Mike Kehoe's desk.
In the absence of further legislation on the subject, federal and state courts will determine whether there is room for gaming terminals outside casinos in Missouri, and if so, what that space looks like. Recent results have been unfavorable to businesses involved in the operation of these terminals.
A Feb. 13 federal court decision declared certain "skill games" in Missouri businesses to be violations of the state's gaming laws. That ruling came up during debate on HB 2989 in the House as rationale for voting against the bill.
However, Kehoe stated that he would defer to the legislative process and consider signing legislation like HB 2989 if it gets to him, according to Joey Schneider and Mark Zinn of Fox 2. Kehoe added that the state's revenue needs necessitate looking for new streams.
So far, those discussions have not touched on the subject of legalizing channels to play the best online slots. Missouri is less than a year removed from the launch of legal online sports wagering and the appetite for further online gaming expansion is minimal.
Missourians will likely continue to have to travel out of their state to take advantage of offers like the bet365 Casino deal for new players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Those states legalized iGaming more than a decade ago.
The regulation of gray machine terminals could continue to be an issue of debate in Jefferson City, at least in the Missouri House. Appeals of the court cases concerning their legality might cause that support to subside, though.
