Forthcoming laws in Missouri will suggest to extend the state’s on line casino admission price by a minimum of a greenback, with the added income going to help veterans’ nursing properties.
Missouri Rep. Dave Griffith needs to extend entry taxes that casinos pay to higher fund veterans’ nursing properties. The state’s 13 riverboats say extra taxes will damage their companies. (Picture: Missouri Home Communications)
On Monday, State Rep. Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson Metropolis) informed the Missouri Veterans Fee that he’ll once more introduce laws within the Jefferson Metropolis capital that seeks to extend the state admission tax that the riverboat casinos pay. Griffith believes it’s time to extend the $2 admission tax, which has remained unchanged since Missourians legalized riverboat playing via a statewide poll referendum in 1992.
Griffith, who filed an analogous invoice through the 2021 legislative session that didn’t muster help, says the state wants to higher fund its seven veterans nursing properties. A $1 enhance to the on line casino admission tax might increase substantial new income.
The admission price at the moment helps the Veterans Fee Capital Enchancment Belief Fund, which, through the state’s 2023 fiscal yr, obtained greater than $11.24 million. The entry tax additionally helps the Missouri Nationwide Guard, scholarship help, and the Compulsive Gamblers Fund.
The state’s 21% tax on gross gaming income primarily helps Ok-12 public schooling.
Entry Income
Casinos don’t move the entry price to their patrons however as an alternative pay the admission tax on to the state. The state’s 13 riverboats counted 14.7 million patron entries in FY2023. Entry numbers have steadily declined over the previous decade, with the boats counting greater than 22.2 million admissions in 2014.
The Missouri Gaming Affiliation, representing the state’s casinos, opposes Griffith’s proposal. The commerce group says the elevated fare will lead to lowered capital enchancment tasks and fewer incentives for gamers. Staffing ranges may be impacted, the on line casino pursuits say.
Griffith says if lawmakers aren’t prepared to budge on rising the $2 fare, another choice is to legalize sports activities betting and use these taxes for veterans’ nursing properties. A bipartisan invoice permitting the state’s riverboats to include sportsbooks and associate with on-line sportsbook platforms stalled earlier this yr after gaining help within the Home.
Home Invoice 556 handed the decrease chamber by a 118-35 vote. The measure was filibustered by state Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg).
Hoskins helps legalizing sports activities betting however says any additional enlargement of gaming within the state should additionally embrace a regulatory framework for controversial “no-chance” gaming machines widespread in comfort shops, fuel stations, eating places, and bars.
In June, Hoskins introduced his candidacy for Missouri secretary of state. Nevertheless, that election isn’t till November 5, 2024, that means he’ll seemingly nonetheless be within the Senate when the Common Meeting convenes subsequent March.
Veterans Nursing Residence Funding
Missouri operates seven nursing properties reserved for veterans. The Veterans Fee, a Missouri Division of Public Security unit, says it’s struggled in recent times to adequately employees the amenities, which has led to lowered mattress counts.
The St. Louis Submit-Dispatch reviews that efforts by Gov. Mike Parson (R) to extend salaries for state workers have resulted in a hiring surge on the nursing properties. Since June, extra nurses and medical staffers have allowed the nursing properties to extend their mattress rely by about 14%.
“The wage will increase have been one of many largest advantages to our recruiting,” Missouri Veterans Fee HR Director Paul Imhoff informed the media outlet. “We’ve seen some good outcomes.”
