Missouri Pro Teams Turn in Signatures to Put Betting on the November Ballot

The Show-Me State has been on an odyssey with no end in sight to legalize the sports gambling industry. Efforts have so far fallen flat, raising challenges for residents who have been partial to placing wagers, and who have to trek outside the state to back a team or a player they enjoy.

Sports Teams Taking Matters in Their Own Hands

Yet, a new petition launched by Missouri’s professional sports teams has now collected a good number of signatures and has the potential to put the issue on the November ballot, possibly swaying voters to support the legalization of sports gambling.

Among the backers are St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, and others. The petition has already been submitted to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office in Jefferson City.

Originally, the proposal needed 180,000 to qualify and be put on the ballot, although the final decision rests with Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft who is unlikely to turn down the people’s will.

Meanwhile, Missouri has been falling behind other states in the sports betting legalization fever that has seized the nation with more than 38 states and the District of Columbia now allowing legal gambling on sports events in some capacity.

So, what if Missouri does pass an amendment to its constitution? As the proposal stands, the state’s 13 casinos and six professional sports teams could soon be allowed to launch online sports betting operations.

Hammering Out the Details Should Betting Be OK’d

There will be some restrictions as to where gambling may be advertised, and some other fine details that will be thrashed out once the measure moves forward – and if it is.

Should the measure pass, the Missouri Gaming Commission would be able to license two mobile sports betting operators as well. Right now, the anticipated contributions to the state’s budget amount to around $5 million annually from licensing fees and taxes.

This money can be allocated to tackling pesky issues that the state faces, such as problem gambling, but also help fund other crucial initiatives such as elementary, secondary, and higher education initiatives.