Missouri Voters to Decide on Legalizing Sports Betting This November
Missouri is on the brink of potentially legalizing sports betting, as a newly approved referendum will allow residents to vote on the issue on November 5.
Strong Support from Missouri’s Sports Teams
The referendum was officially approved by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft after a campaign successfully collected the necessary valid signatures from at least six of the state’s eight congressional districts.
The push for regulated sports betting in Missouri has garnered support from some of the state’s most popular professional sports teams.
In November 2023, a coalition named Winning for Missouri Education was formed by six teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis City SC, Kansas City Current, Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
By May, Winning for Missouri Education had submitted over 340,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s office, far surpassing the required threshold. The campaign has also received backing from major sports betting companies DraftKings and FanDuel, helping it raise over $6 million to support the initiative.
The Proposed Framework for Sports Betting
If Missouri voters approve the referendum, the state constitution will be amended to allow regulated sports betting, overseen by the Missouri Gaming Commission.
The proposed framework, outlined earlier this year in House Bill 2835, would permit both retail and online sports betting for individuals 21 years or older.
Under HB 2835, potential operators would be required to pay a 10% tax on adjusted gross receipts, with an initial application fee of $150,000 for a wagering license.
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