Missouri should play the odds and reap the revenue from legalizing sports gambling
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law banning most states from establishing sports gambling.
The decision means states can tap into the estimated $150 billion in annual wagering on sporting events.
A well-designed sports gambling framework in Missouri could provide additional funds for schools and public safety. The state already has a gaming commission, and betting takes place every day in Kansas City casinos.
Missouri lawmakers should move quickly to establish the parameters of sports wagering in the state or order the Missouri Gaming Commission to draft rules for sports betting. Other states are taking similar steps.
More work to be done
The Missouri General Assembly has a number of other issues on its last-week to-do list. Lawmakers understand the stakes, and should be able to move quickly to address these lingering concerns:
This story was originally published May 14, 2018 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Missouri should play the odds and reap the revenue from legalizing sports gambling."