Missouri Poll Says 52% of Respondents Support Sports Betting

A recent survey from Emerson College Polling/The Hill conducted with the help of The Hill and Nexstar Media has revealed a significant majority of likely Missouri voters were in favor of legalizing sports betting, a measure that will appear on the November ballot. 

The poll, conducted between September 12-September 13, gathered data from 850 “very likely” voters across the Show-Me state. 

The list of voters included 262 Democrats, 356 Republicans, and 232 independents or individuals affiliated with a different political party. 

Men Are More in Favor of the Measure 

Among them, support for sports betting was particularly strong, especially among men and younger demographics.

According to Emerson College Polling’s executive director, Spencer Kimball, 59% of men expressed support for the measure that would make sports betting legal for individuals over the age of 21, compared to 46% of women. 

Age-wise, the highest level of enthusiasm for sports betting was noticed in voters ages between 30 and 39, where 68.4% supported the ballot measure. 

When it came to voters ages 60 and older, the poll showed support for the measure tapered off, dropping below 50%.

What the Proposed Amendment Would Bring 

The proposed amendment would establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for sports betting, including online sports betting, professional sports betting districts, gambling boats, and mobile licenses to sports betting operators in the state, overseen by the Missouri Gaming Commission. 

The license application and five-year renewal fees would reach $500,000. The measure would also include a 10% tax on adjusted gross gaming revenue for licensees.

A minimum of $5 million in these fees and taxes would reach problem gambling programs on a yearly basis.

The remaining tax revenue would go toward elementary, secondary, and higher education.

The ballot measure would allow for both in-person and online sports betting, restricted to individuals over the age of 21 and physically located within the state. 

Neighboring states such as Illinois, Arkansas, and Kansas have already legalized sports betting, placing additional pressure on Missouri to follow suit. 

If the measure is not translated into legislation, Missouri risks losing a potential tax revenue estimated at $28.9 million a year from residents who choose to cross borders to place bets in neighboring states.

While the sports betting amendment is generating significant buzz, it’s not the only high-profile issue on the November ballot. 

Missourans of the legal age to vote will also weigh in on a constitutional amendment regarding abortion access, a hot topic that has sparked a lot of controversy and debate across the state.

According to the same poll with a margin of error of +/- 3.3% based on 2024 likely voter modeling, a majority of “very likely” Missouri voters have expressed support for the ballot measure on abortion access.

Democrats showed support for the abortion ballot measure at 90% to 7% with similar votes from independents at 61% to 26%. 

Republicans oppose the measure 50% to 32%. Women supported the measure, 60% to 28%, whereas men showed support 54% to 33%.

Emerson College Polling/The Hill’s previous survey conducted between June 17 and June 19 on 1,000 registered voters showed more than one third of voters would show support for the legalization of sports betting.