Show-Me Stat: Missouri Legalizes Sports Betting After Tightly Contested Race
Missourians will soon be able to place legal bets on their favorite teams, marking a victory for sports betting proponents after a nail-biting election.
A constitutional amendment permitting sports betting narrowly passed, securing 50.05% of the vote in November. While the constitutional amendment officially took effect immediately, Missourians won’t be placing bets anytime soon. Under the new law, state regulators have a deadline to launch sports betting no later than December 1, 2025.
Missouri Becomes 39th State to Embrace Sports Betting
The legalization victory puts Missouri in line with 38 states and Washington, D.C., which have embraced sports betting since the Supreme Court cleared the way in 2018. The decision opens a new chapter for Missouri, where a grand total of $43 million was spent battling over the ballot measure.
The "yes" campaign, primarily financed by sports betting giants DraftKings and FanDuel, shattered spending records for a Missouri ballot measure. The two companies, which dominate the national sports betting scene, shelled out a combined $43 million.
Surprisingly, the team playing field greatly contributed to the effort. Missouri’s six major professional athletes contributed $2 million collectively. Teams included the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current and St. Louis City soccer teams.
On the opposing side, Caesars Entertainment, which operates three of Missouri’s 13 casinos, poured $14 million into the “no” campaign, vying for the status quo.
Recounts Not Planned
Despite the razor-thin margin, the “no” camp opted against requesting
a recount, paving the way for sports betting’s arrival.
Choosing Sides: Casinos, Teams, and a Contested Market
Missouri’s foray into the world of sports betting showcases a national trend of legal betting expanding across the US. The campaign endorses a variety of wagering avenues. Missouri’s change allows the state’s casinos and professional sports teams to offer both online and in-person betting.
In-person betting at casinos and within 400 yards of stadiums and arenas will be controlled by teams. Two licenses for mobile sports betting will be awarded directly by the Missouri Gaming Commission.
Financially, a significant portion of the revenues directs to aiding initiatives by funneling at least $5 Million yearly in licensing and taxes towards combatting problem gambling. Remaining funds will gear towards supporting public education, from K-12 to higher education.
The outcome marks a legal victory for those championing the expansion of sports betting nationwide.
Previously, supporters encountered roadblocks in the Missouri Senate, opting to pursue the citizen-led initiative process as their best path forward.
A National Swipe
Missouri doesn’t stand alone. Sports betting remains exiled in lucrative markets like California and Texas. In a stark demonstration of this battle, Californians rejected rival proposed in 2022 where $450 million was dropped combined, highlighting high-stakes involved.
News Organizations:
Missouri
What were the key arguments used by the “yes” campaign to persuade voters?
## Show-Me Stat Bets on Win: Missouri Joins the Sports Betting Club
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is Alex Reed, a sports analyst and commentator, to discuss the recent legalization of sports betting in Missouri. Welcome to the show!
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me!
**Host:** So, Missourians voted “yes” on sports betting in a very close race. Can you shed some light on what this means for the state?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. This is a huge win for sports betting proponents and puts Missouri in line with a majority of states that have already embraced legal wagering. We’re talking about 39 states and Washington D.C., so Missouri’s joining a pretty big club. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for fans to be even more engaged with their favorite teams and games. [[1](https://abc17news.com/news/missouri/2024/12/05/sports-betting-wins-narrow-approval-in-missouri-after-high-dollar-campaign/)]
**Host:** It was a tightly contested race. What do you think swayed the voters?”
**Alex Reed:** Well, the ”yes” campaign heavily emphasized economic benefits, potential tax revenue, and the fact that Missourians were already crossing state lines to place bets. But it was also interesting to see the support from Missouri’s major sports teams – the Cardinals, Blues, Chiefs, Royals, Current, and City SC all lent their support. That kind of backing from the teams surely influenced some voters.
**Host:** There was a lot of money spent on both sides of this campaign, wasn’t there?
**Alex Reed:** It was a record-breaking campaign for a Missouri ballot measure. DraftKings and FanDuel, two giants in the sports betting industry, poured in millions of dollars to get the “yes” vote across the finish line. It shows just how much these companies see the potential in Missouri’s market.
**Host:** While the amendment passed, Missourians won’t be placing bets right away. Is there a timeframe for when things will get going?
**Alex Reed:** That’s right. The state regulators have until December 1, 2025, to get everything up and running. They’ll need to develop regulations, license operators, and set up the infrastructure for legal sports betting in the state.
**Host:** It’ll be interesting to see how Missouri’s sports betting landscape takes shape. Thanks for breaking it down for us today, Alex Reed!
**Alex Reed:** My pleasure. I’ll be watching it closely.
