Missouri Sports Betting Campaign Enters Final Week Before Referendum

Missouri Sports Betting Campaign: Key Players

The “Winning for Missouri Education” committee leads the pro-legalization campaign, supported mainly by industry giants DraftKings and FanDuel, who have collectively contributed over $40 million.

The committee emphasizes that legalization will retain millions of dollars currently spent by Missouri residents in neighboring states. Additional tax revenue would be allocated to education.

Opposing legalization is Caesars Entertainment, a casino operator in Missouri, which argues the proposed regulations won’t deliver anticipated educational benefits due to tax deductions for promotional costs allowed to sportsbooks.

Critics however suggest that Caesars’ opposition is more about resisting new competitors like DraftKings and FanDuel entering the market.

The campaign has received backing from the mayors of St. Louis and Kansas City, as well as both candidates for governor.

“Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment,” another committee against legalization, pulled over a million dollars from television advertising in mid-October.

Impact of Sports Betting Legalization in Missouri

Legalizing sports betting in Missouri could substantially impact the gambling market within the state and its neighboring areas. Tax revenue could potentially reach up to $28.9 million annually, depending on the extent of promotional deductions that sportsbooks can claim.

Additionally, legalization would create jobs in the gambling industry, both at retail locations and online. New operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel would heighten competition in Missouri’s market, potentially leading to better customer offers and promotions. This could also help curb illegal betting, enhancing player safety and contributing to state revenue.

Neighboring states where sports betting is already legal, including Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, and Tennessee, may see a decrease in customers from Missouri who have previously crossed state lines to place bets.

Successful legalization in Missouri might place pressure on other states still without sports betting to consider similar actions to avoid revenue loss.

Chances of Success for Missouri Sports Betting Campaign

Recent polls show a slight edge for legalization supporters, though the referendum outcome remains uncertain. The withdrawal of some TV ads by opponents might indicate growing support for legalization.

If the amendment passes, sports betting in Missouri could be launched by December 1, 2025. The state’s 13 casinos would receive licenses to offer sports betting, as would its six professional sports teams.