Modifies provisions relating to admission fees on excursion gambling boats
SB 637 would amend Missouri law governing excursion gambling boats by increasing the required admission fee from $2 to $4 per person embarking with a ticket of admission. The bill keeps the existing structure for how that fee is distributed, with 50% going to the gaming commission fund and 50% going to the home dock city or county, while preserving the provision that a small portion of the commission fund deposit may support the compulsive gamblers fund. The fee would continue to be adjusted annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index, and the bill retains rules for multi-use tickets, complimentary admissions, and fee-free passes for certain workers and officials.
The bill also preserves and restates the tax treatment of excursion boat licensees. Licensees would remain subject to generally applicable state and local taxes, but political subdivisions could not impose a separate license, permit, occupation, excursion, or similar tax exclusively on these operators. The bill continues to authorize the Department of Revenue and the gaming commission to share tax information for compliance purposes, while keeping that information confidential and limited to commission use.
Overall, the bill appears to be a revenue-focused measure rather than a major regulatory overhaul. By doubling the admission fee, it would increase the amount collected from each gambling boat patron and likely increase revenues for the gaming commission fund and the home dock local government. It would also indirectly affect gambling boat operators by increasing the cost associated with each admission ticket, though operators would still be allowed to charge additional amounts as they deem necessary.
There is little direct evidence of controversy in the available record because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes included. Based on the text alone, the most likely point of discussion would be the higher fee and how the additional revenue should be distributed between state gaming oversight, local governments, and compulsive gambling support. Another possible issue is the continued prohibition on special local taxes aimed only at licensees, which protects gambling boat operators from targeted local taxation.
SB 637 would repeal and replace section 313.820, RSMo, increasing the statutory admission fee for excursion gambling boats from $2 to $4 and preserving the existing split of fee revenue between the gaming commission fund and the home dock city or county. It would continue to allow annual inflation adjustments, maintain rules for complimentary and multi-use tickets, and keep the confidentiality and tax-compliance information-sharing provisions for licensees. The bill would primarily affect excursion boat licensees, patrons, local dock jurisdictions, the Missouri Gaming Commission, and the compulsive gamblers fund.
No committee discussion or vote history was provided, so there is no documented legislative debate to gauge support or opposition. From the bill text, the measure appears generally pro-revenue and administrative in nature, with a likely neutral-to-supportive posture from those favoring increased gaming-related collections and local revenue. Any opposition would most likely come from excursion gambling boat operators or stakeholders concerned about higher admission costs.
The main likely point of contention is the increase in the admission fee from $2 to $4, which raises costs for patrons and could affect gambling boat operators' pricing and competitiveness. A second possible issue is the allocation of the fee, particularly the balance between state gaming oversight, local dock communities, and the compulsive gamblers fund. The bill also preserves the prohibition on local governments imposing additional taxes or fees exclusively on licensees, which could be a point of disagreement for local jurisdictions seeking more revenue.