Missouri Sports Betting Question Will Appear on 2024 Ballot

Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsMissouri voters will have the opportunity to decide the state’s sports betting fate in NovemberA sports betting referendum question received the necessary signature to appear on the 2024 general election ballotThe referendum question requires a simple majority to be approved

After years of discussion, negotiations, filibustering, and general weirdness surrounding its proceedings, Missouri’s sports betting fate will have its moment in November as state voters will determine if it becomes legal or not.

Missouri Secretary of State John R. Ashcroft today announced that an initiative petition to legalize sports betting in the Show-Me State received a sufficient amount of valid signatures to be placed on the November 2024 general election ballot.

Approval will require a simple majority from Missouri voters.

We’re Headed to the Polls

The Winning for Missouri Education coalition recently submitted more than 340,000 signatures to place the sports betting question on the state’s November general election ballot. The St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis CITY SC, and the Kansas City Current are supporting the sports betting initiative in the state.

If approved at the polls, each Missouri sports team and casino will be eligible to operate retail and online sports betting. Each sports team and casino would be eligible for one retail sports betting license through the bill. Additionally, each sports team and casino would be eligible for one online sports betting license. Each team and casino would be able to partner with one online sports betting operator.

Sports betting would be taxed at a rate of 10% and allows for promotional deductions against sports betting revenues. It’s estimated by sports betting proponents that the state could see upwards of $28.9 million annually in sports betting tax revenues.

Both DraftKings and FanDuel supported the campaign through $6.5 million in total donations.

“Missouri is now just one step away from joining most other states in legalizing sports betting and being able to provide millions of dollars to Missouri classrooms,” said Bill DeWitt III, President of the St. Louis Cardinals, in a press release. “On behalf of all six of Missouri’s professional sports teams, I would like to thank everyone who signed a petition to get this on the ballot. A vote for Amendment 2 in November is the right thing to do for both Missouri public schools and our favorite sports teams.”

Initiative Information

The initiative includes the following “fair ballot language” for voters:

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to permit licensed sports wagering regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission and restrict sports betting to individuals physically located in the state and over the age of 21. The amendment includes a 10% wagering tax on revenues received to be appropriated for educational institutions in Missouri.A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding licensed regulated sports wagering.

The final valid signature report was included in the approved referendum. The campaign collected enough valid signatures in six of the eight Congressional districts in the state. The results are as follows:

The constitutional amendment, if approved, will allow Missouri voters to place bets in a safer, regulated manner, and bring millions in new funding for Missouri education, Jack Cardetti, spokesperson for Winning for Missouri Education, said in a press release.

“Amendment 2 will bring a vital new, permanent funding source for our schools at a time it’s badly needed. Missouri teachers are among the lowest paid in the entire nation, which hurts Missouri’s ability to attract and retain quality educators. By keeping sports betting dollars in-state, we can invest in our students and communities and ensure a brighter future for Missouri.”

Best Chance at Sports Betting Approval?

This is likely the best chance Missouri will have to legalize sports betting, as legislative efforts have stalled out over the last several years. While bills would move through the legislature, all would eventually be roadblocked by state politicians who wanted to also legalize video lottery terminals (VLT) alongside sports betting.

Since 2022, Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-21) has successfully blocked and filibustered any and all attempts to legalize sports betting in the Senate for bills that did not include the legalization of VLTs.

Nothing  is unlikely to change in the Missouri Senate moving forward.

Polling has shown that Missouri voters seem to generally be in favor of sports betting. According to a poll published in March by Saint Louis University and YouGov, 60% of respondents support legalized sports betting in Missouri, compared with just 25% of those surveyed who believe sports betting should remain illegal in the state.

The poll surveyed 900 likely Missouri voters about their opinions regarding the 2024 election and issues facing the state and country.

However, recent polling in June from Emerson College showed Missouri voters are close to being split on the potential legalization of sports betting, as 38% of respondents reported they would vote to legalize sports betting while 35% would vote against it. However, 26% of respondents are not sure how they would vote at this time.

Emerson College Polling/The Hill conducted a survey of 1,000 registered voters from June 17 to 19.