Missouri Sports Betting Referendum Date Looms Large

Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of the 2024 AFC wild card game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsMissourians will soon know if they have a chance to decide the state’s sports betting fate in NovemberThe Missouri Secretary of State’s office recently received a ballot petition signature report for the state’s sports betting referendumThe office has until Aug. 13 to validate the necessary signatures to put the referendum on the upcoming November ballot

The countdown is on to determine if Missourians will have the opportunity to decide the state’s sports betting fate at the polls in November.

The Missouri Secretary of State’s office recently received the petition signature report for the Winning for Missouri Education’s campaign to place a sports betting referendum on the state’s November general election ballot.

The office will have until Aug. 13 to validate the necessary 170,000 signatures to place the referendum on the ballot.

Will Missourians See a Question at the Polls?

the Winning for Missouri Education coalition recently submitted  more than 340,000 signatures to place a 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 the necessary signatures are validated, voters will see a sports betting question on the upcoming November ballot, which will have to be approved by a majority vote. It’s likely the only chance Missouri has to see legalized sports betting, as legislative efforts have stalled out for the last three years.

If legalized, sports betting would be taxed at a rate of 10% and would directly support Missouri public education.

According to the initiative, 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.

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

Public Polling is Split

Recent polling from Emerson College shows Missouri voters are 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.

Also of note, Steve Ruddock, who writes Straight to the Point, a daily newsletter on the sports betting industry, reported today that he’s “hearing rumors that a powerful opponent (powerful enough to kill the initiative at the ballot box) could emerge.”

Let’s see if this becomes a reality.