DraftKings and FanDuel Invest $14 Million in Missouri Sports Betting Push
DraftKings and FanDuel have invested a combined $14 million in their campaign to secure voter approval, significantly outspending Caesars Entertainment’s $4 million contribution to oppose the measure.
The Proposal Gains Momentum
Missouri’s professional sports teams, led by the St. Louis Cardinals, have been key supporters of the initiative, which is backed by the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA).
This group includes leading digital betting platforms like BetMGM, Fanatics Sportsbook, and the two largest contributors, DraftKings and FanDuel. The measure was greenlit by the Secretary of State in August and survived a legal challenge in September, setting the stage for a high-stakes public vote.
The current proposal is seen as a chance to bring regulated online sports betting to Missouri, an effort that has been stalled in the state legislature for more than five years.
However, Missouri’s land-based casinos, including major players like Caesars, Penn Entertainment, and Boyd Gaming, have expressed strong opposition to the measure.
Dispute Over Casino Platforms
The key point of contention for traditional casino operators is the number of sports betting skins, or digital platforms, allocated to each casino.
The proposed law allows only one platform per casino, regardless of the number of locations they operate. This contrasts with earlier legislative efforts that allowed for up to three platforms, based on a casino’s size.
For major casino companies, the current proposal limits their potential market share, which explains their strong resistance.
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