Voters Narrowly Approve Sports Betting Legalisation
Missouri is set to join the growing list of states offering legalised sports betting following the razor-thin passage of a ballot measure with 50.05% voter approval. Certified by state election officials last Thursday, this marks a significant milestone for sports enthusiasts and industry stakeholders. While the constitutional amendment takes immediate effect, betting services are not expected to launch until late spring or early summer of 2025.
Record-Breaking Campaigns Drive Approval
The campaign supporting legal sports betting shattered Missouri’s previous fundraising records, amassing $43 million. Leading contributors included DraftKings and FanDuel, who dominated with substantial funding, alongside $2 million in support from Missouri’s professional sports teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and St. Louis City soccer team.
St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III highlighted the initiative’s benefits, stating, “Joining the 38 other states that already allow sports betting will enable us to engage more deeply with fans while keeping tens of millions in Missouri for educational and community benefits.”
Opposition, funded mainly by Caesars Entertainment, raised $14 million but failed to prevent the measure’s passage. Caesars, which operates three of Missouri’s 13 casinos, expressed disappointment but has not indicated plans to challenge the results.
Framework for Implementation
Missouri’s constitutional amendment permits sports betting at the state’s casinos and through its professional sports teams. Teams will have exclusive control over betting and advertising within 400 yards of their facilities. Additionally, two mobile operators will receive direct licensing from the Missouri Gaming Commission.
Regulators are tasked with drafting rules, processing licenses, and setting oversight mechanisms to ensure a smooth rollout. The Missouri Gaming Commission expects the industry to be operational well before the constitutional deadline of December 1, 2025.
Tax Revenues and Problem Gambling Initiatives
The approved measure imposes a 10% tax on sports betting revenue, significantly below the national average of 19%. A minimum of $5 million annually will fund programs addressing problem gambling, while the remainder will be allocated to education.
National Context and Future Prospects
Missouri’s entry into sports betting follows a nationwide trend, as 38 states and Washington, D.C., have already legalised the practice since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal ban in 2018. However, major markets like California and Texas remain untapped, with California voters rejecting sports betting proposals in 2022 after an unprecedented $450 million campaign battle between interest groups.
Missouri’s move is expected to generate significant revenue and enhance fan engagement across its professional sports landscape. As the countdown begins for its 2025 rollout, residents can look forward to joining the national sports betting boom.
Missouri voters will have the chance to decide on legalizing sports betting during the November election, following a successful petition by Winning for Missouri Education. The group, backed by state professional sports teams, has gathered over 340,000 signatures, surpassing the required 171,592 to secure a spot on the ballot.
Sports Betting Initiative Gains Momentum
The push for legal sports betting in Missouri, one of the 12 remaining states without this option, could mean significant local revenue earmarked for community and educational improvements. “Missouri took a major step today to ensure that these revenues benefit our communities and classrooms,” spokesperson Jack Cardetti explained.
The campaign emerged after legislative efforts stalled in the Senate, prompting sports teams like the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals to spearhead the move toward a citizen-led constitutional amendment.
Local Teams Rally Behind Betting Proposal
Missouri’s top professional teams, including the Chiefs, who have clinched two Super Bowl titles recently, are strong proponents of the initiative. Despite their successes, fans currently cannot place bets in-state and often travel to neighboring states for online sports wagering.
What’s at Stake in November?
Should the Secretary of State’s office confirm the signatures, Missouri voters will not only elect the next U.S. president but also decide on sports betting. Approval by a simple majority would align Missouri with 38 states and the District of Columbia in regulating this form of gambling.
Under the proposed measure, the state’s 13 riverboat casinos and six professional sports teams would be eligible to offer retail and online betting. The Missouri Gaming Commission could also license two additional mobile betting operators not linked to casinos or sports teams.
Moreover, the first $5 million in tax revenue from sports betting would support problem gambling initiatives, with subsequent funds directed to public education. This referendum represents a pivotal opportunity for Missouri to shape its economic and social landscape through legalized sports betting.