Missouri Residents to Vote on Sports Betting in November

Missouri voters will decide in November whether to legalize sports betting as state lawmakers have tried and failed to pass similar legislation. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft certified a constitutional amendment for the Nov. 5 ballot that will ask voters whether to legalize and tax betting on major sporting events.

Winning for Missouri Education submitted more than 340,000 signatures in May to force a statewide vote

Ashcroft confirmed that the sports betting campaign had collected enough valid signatures. Though, his office did not disclose the exact number of signatures. The signatures were verified by election officials across the state.

The campaign, known as Winning for Missouri Education, is supported by every major professional sports team in Missouri and has raised more than $6.5 million, including mega donations from the largest mobile sports betting operators, FanDuel and DraftKings.

In fact, the campaign said it submitted more than 340,000 signatures in May to force a statewide vote. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Current, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis City SC, to have a license to accept bets on games.

Additionally, it would allow the state’s casino operators to be eligible for a license along with two online betting platforms. Missouri would tax sports betting at 10% under the proposal with $5 million allocated to a fund intended to tackle problem gambling.

The remaining money would go to public schools and higher education. The proposal estimates that the state revenue generated from legalized sports betting could go as high as $28.9 million each year.

Missourians are hoping to legalize sports betting once and for all

According to a recent poll, the majority of Missourians support legalized sports wagering. The poll released in March revealed that 60% of potential voters believe that betting on professional sports should be legalized. Approximately 25% were opposed, while the remaining 14% said they were unsure.

Missouri has missed out on millions in revenue, while Kansas first launched legal sports wagering in 2022. Since the practice remains illegal in the “Show-Me State,” Missourians have crossed state lines into neighboring Kansas and Illinois to place their bets.

Furthermore, legislation to legalize sports betting has also been impeded by a dispute over video lottery terminals. The casino-like slot machines can be found across the state at bars, gas stations, and truck stops.

Lawmakers are divided on whether a sports betting bill should also regulate and tax the gas station slots. The proposed constitutional amendment would only legalize sports betting and does not address the video terminals.

Missouri voters will also decide in November whether to overturn the state’s ban on abortion and raise minimum wage. Ashcroft’s office certified both measures on Tuesday.