Will Missouri Recount Votes on Sports Betting Referendum?
The fate of sports betting in Missouri may not have been definitively decided on November 5. Recent developments suggest the state could opt for a vote recount, given how close the referendum results were.
Could Missouri Recount Votes on Sports Betting?
Initially, the amendment held a relatively safe lead of over 4,300 votes, prompting the Winning for Missouri Education campaign to declare victory.
However, as additional votes continued to be reported, including nearly 10,000 votes from Christian County—many of which opposed the initiative—the lead dwindled to just 368 votes.
While the current results confirm that sports betting was approved by Missouri voters, the razor-thin margin of around 0.1% leaves room for the possibility of a recount.
A recount request can officially be made after December 10, when Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft certifies the election results. Theoretically, the victory for legal sports betting in Missouri is not yet final.
Sports Betting Initiative
The sports betting initiative in Missouri made it to the ballot thanks to efforts led by Missouri sports teams. After repeated legislative failures, the decision was left in the hands of the state’s residents.
The campaign to legalize sports betting received substantial support from commercial operators like DraftKings and FanDuel, which together contributed over $40 million to the effort.
However, opponents of the amendment also made their voices heard. Funded by Caesars, the Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment group raised objections and arguments against legal sports betting in the state.
Interestingly, the opposition campaign pulled its ads a few weeks before the election, potentially influenced by the Missouri Gaming Commission’s opinion that every casino in the state—not just six casino operators—would receive a license (or “skin”) to operate sports betting.
The debate over the initiative was intense, leading to an incredibly close referendum result. The outcome revealed a state deeply divided on the issue, with public opinion nearly split down the middle.
Recommended