SB 1545 repeals section 313.660 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, which currently makes it unlawful for a person, for a fee, to accept or transmit wagers for pari-mutuel horse racing betting outside the enclosure of a licensed racetrack. The repealed language also makes a violation a class D felony. By striking the section entirely, the bill would remove this specific statutory prohibition from state law.
In practical terms, the bill would eliminate the existing criminal penalty tied to off-track pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and would no longer expressly bar the handling of wagers outside the racetrack enclosure under that section. The bill does not itself create a new regulatory framework; it simply removes the cited prohibition from Missouri law.
Impact
The bill would amend Missouri’s gaming and horse-racing statutes by repealing section 313.660, RSMo. This would remove the current ban on accepting, delivering, or transmitting off-track pari-mutuel horse-racing wagers for a fee, along with the associated class D felony penalty. The affected parties would include individuals and businesses involved in horse-racing wagering, racetracks, and any off-track betting operations that might otherwise be subject to the repealed provision.
Sentiment
Based on the available context, there is little recorded debate, no committee transcript, and no voting history provided, so the overall sentiment cannot be measured from discussion. The bill’s caption suggests a deregulatory or legalization-oriented approach to off-track pari-mutuel wagering, which may indicate support from those favoring expanded wagering options and opposition from those concerned about gambling expansion. However, the record provided does not show explicit support or opposition.
Contention
The main point of contention would likely be whether Missouri should continue prohibiting off-track pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing or instead allow it by removing the criminal ban. Supporters would likely argue that repeal modernizes wagering law and expands horse-racing betting opportunities, while opponents may object on gambling-policy, regulatory, or enforcement grounds. Because no committee testimony or votes are included, no specific lawmakers or stakeholder groups are identified in the record.