Missourians to Have Their Say on Sports Betting in November

The people of Missouri will finally decide if they would like to see sports betting legalized in their state on November 5, as a result of the success of a petition that was aimed at adding the matter to the ballot. 

More Than Double the Needed Signatures 

In an announcement coming from the Missouri Secretary of State on Tuesday, lobbyists part of the Winning for Missouri Education group supporting the campaign have gathered over 340,000 signatures necessary for the petition to make its way to the ballot. 

The figure represents roughly double the needed number. The signatures were verified by election officials in Missouri. 

Now, the measure (Amendment 2), which also has the support of professional sports teams in the Show-Me state including Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Current, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and St. Louis City, only needs to reach a simple majority to gain passage.

Important operators in Missouri including DraftKings and FanDuel have expressed their views in support of the legalization of sports betting by donating $6.5 million toward the Winning for Missouri Education campaign. 

60% of Voters Want Sports Betting, 25% Oppose It

As a result of Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft certifying the constitutional amendment on the November ballot, Missorians will get the chance to decide whether to legalize and tax betting on major sports events with 10% following state lawmakers’ failed past attempts to pass similar legislation. 

As per data from a Kansas City Star poll in March, 60% of potential ballot voters were in favor of the legalization of sports betting. 

A quarter of respondents spoke against the measure while the remainder of 14% were undecided.

According to an Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey conducted between June 17 and June 19, 2024, on 1,000 registered voters, 38% would vote for the legalization of sports betting while 35% admitted that they would vote against the measure.

Provided voters who support the measure will come out with flying colors, all six professional sports teams in the state will receive a license. 

Moreover, each state casino will be given the option to obtain a retail license and as many as two online approvals. 

Of the proposed tax on sports betting, $5 million will reach a problem gambling fund. The rest will go towards education programs.

A Vote For Amendment 2, “The Right Thing to Do”

St. Louis Cardinals’ president, Bill DeWitt III, issued a statement thanking everyone who signed the petition on behalf of the professional sports teams in Missouri. 

He explained Missouri was “just one step away” from joining the rest of US states that have legalized sports betting and providing “millions of dollars to Missouri classrooms,” while calling votes in favor of Amendment 2 “the right thing to do” for public schools and sports teams.

The effort comes after similar efforts have languished for years in the General Assembly amid bitter infighting among Senate Republicans. 

According to the fiscal note attached to the measure, state revenue generated from legalized sports betting would range from nothing to $28.9 million every year. 

Ever since Kansas decided to legalize sports wagering in 2022, Missourian residents have been crossing into the neighboring state to quench their thirst for placing bets. 

Similarly, their visits to Illinois have multiplied for similar reasons, proving the importance of the November vote for domestic bettors.