With the 2022 legislative session coming to a close, it is official that Missouri will not be legalizing sports betting anytime soon.

House bill 2502 was first introduced in January by Rep. Dan Houx (R-Warrensburg). The bill in the initial stages was slated to have a 10% tax for the government and $250,000 allocated to the Gaming Commission to support Missouri’s problem gambling programs. House bill 2556 made provisions to the bill and was joined with 2502.

“What caught my attention initially was the tax rate being so much lower than the current tax on gaming in the state at 21%,” Mike Leara, chair of the Missouri Gaming Commission, said.