Missouri, Texas Legal Sports Betting Hopes Dead for 2023

• The 2023 legal sports betting chances for Missouri and Texas are dead after stalling in the Senate.
• Missouri sports betting bill House Bill 556 failed to reach discussion on the final day of the legislative session and won’t be considered for 2023.
• Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick posted on twitter that neither Texas sports betting bill will receive a floor discussion.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.– Missouri sports betting hopes for 2023 are dead after the Senate failed to discuss any House-passed sports betting bills on the legislative session’s final day. House Bill 556 and House Bill 581 both would legalize retail and online sports betting in Missouri but failed in the Senate.

With Missouri’s professional sports teams and House of Representatives in support of MO HB 556, the state’s Senate was the main opposer of sports betting. More specifically, Senator Denny Hoskins and his firm support for VLTs that was absent from both sports betting bills.

The repeated stalling of House-approved sports betting bills, as Hoskins proudly calls himself an obstructionist of standalone sports betting bills. Senator Hoskins insists that the Video Lottery industry must be included in any legal sports betting bill to be considered.

The unregulated video lottery machines are the biggest opponent of legal Missouri sports betting and must be addressed in future bills to get past the Senate.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Shuts Down Texas Sports Betting Hopes

The surprising referendum to put Texas sports betting bills HB 1942 and HJR 102 to a voter decision gave life to the Lone Star State’s 2023 legalization chances on Thursday. Although it was expected to die in the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick made it clear on twitter that the Senate, and himself, “wont waste time on bills without overwhelming GOP support.”

I’ve said repeatedly there is little to no support for expanding gaming from Senate GOP. I polled members this week. Nothing changed. The senate must focus on issues voters expect us to pass. We don’t waste time on bills without overwhelming GOP support. HB1942 won’t be referred.…

— Office of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (@LtGovTX) May 13, 2023

Since both TX HB 1942 and HJR 102 are “democrat led” bills and don’t have Republican support in the Senate, the bills will not be referred to discussion.

Texas is a red state. Yet the House vote on sports betting was carried by a Dem majority.

The Texas Senate doesn’t pass bills with GOP in the minority. The GOP majority guides our path.

HJR102 also will not be referred.
Can’t waste committee/floor time in the last days. #txlege

— Office of the Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (@LtGovTX) May 14, 2023

Until there is change from Republican senators, legal Texas sports betting will continue to fall short despite having success in the House.

News tags: Denny Hoskins | Missouri | MO HB 556 | Texas | TX HB 1942 | TX HJR 102