Repeals the tax imposed on the sale of bingo cards
Summary
HB48 repeals two existing Missouri statutes, sections 313.055 and 313.057, and replaces them with a new section governing licensing and regulation of bingo equipment and supplies manufacturers, suppliers, and hall providers. The bill keeps in place the state’s licensing framework for bingo-related businesses, including criminal history checks for key persons, application and renewal fees, recordkeeping requirements, and commission oversight of sales and credit practices. It also preserves provisions allowing certain sales or dispositions of bingo equipment without a supplier license in limited circumstances, such as after a licensee stops conducting bingo or in a foreclosure situation.
The main policy change in the bill is the removal of the tax previously imposed on the sale of bingo cards and pull-tab cards. The struck language shows that the prior law imposed a tax on bingo cards and pull-tab cards, with proceeds deposited into the bingo proceeds for education fund. Under HB48, that tax language is deleted, meaning suppliers would no longer owe that specific bingo-card sales tax, although other licensing fees and regulatory obligations remain. The bill also continues to require that pull-tab cards display their sale price and that bingo supplies be sold under rules intended to ensure a minimum return to purchasers.
Impact
HB48 would change Missouri’s gaming tax structure by eliminating the statutory tax on bingo card sales and related pull-tab card taxation provisions, while leaving the broader bingo regulatory framework intact. It would continue to authorize the Missouri Gaming Commission to license manufacturers, suppliers, and hall providers, collect application and renewal fees, conduct criminal background checks, and enforce compliance through recordkeeping and credit-sale restrictions. The bill would also affect the bingo proceeds for education fund by removing a source of revenue that had been dedicated to that fund under the repealed tax provisions.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be a targeted tax-relief or tax-repeal proposal rather than a broad restructuring of bingo regulation. There are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, so there is no documented debate or formal vote history to indicate strong support or opposition. The overall tone of the bill suggests a technical and fiscal adjustment focused on removing a specific tax while preserving regulatory oversight.
Contention
The likely point of contention is the loss of dedicated revenue from bingo card and pull-tab card taxes, especially because the repealed tax had been credited to the bingo proceeds for education fund. Supporters would likely view the bill as reducing costs on bingo suppliers and organizations and simplifying the tax structure, while opponents may be concerned about reduced funding for education-related or other public purposes tied to bingo revenues. Another possible issue is whether eliminating the tax could alter the economics of charitable bingo operations or shift costs elsewhere, though the bill does not change the licensing and enforcement regime.