Missouri Hits 300,000 Signatures for Sports Betting Initiative

The appetite for a legal best sports betting apps platform in the state of Missouri is picking up steam among its citizens. 

Unfortunately, lawmakers in the Show-Me State have so far not shown the same urgency. Numerous efforts to advance any sort of best sportsbooks legislation have failed, prompting the state's sports teams and other proponents to take matters into their own hands.

The Winning for Missouri Education campaign, a group tasked with promoting the idea of legal mobile best sports betting sites and retail sports betting in the state, announced Wednesday that 300,000 signatures have been gathered in support of a legalized platform. 

The deadline for those willing to lend their signature toward the campaign is May 5. Members of the campaign hope to have 325,000 signatures by that date.

That figure greatly surpasses 180,000 signatures necessary to pose such a question on the 2024 election ballot.

Overwhelming support

There has been no shortage of support for a legal Missouri sports betting platform from some of the state's most vocal citizens, namely the pro sports teams that call the Show-Me State home. 

Winning for Missouri Education is headed up by several of the state's sports franchises - the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Current, and Kansas City Royals as well as the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and City SC.

It appears as though the teams are having a positive impact on the promotion of a possible legal sports betting platform for the state’s residents.

“The tremendous support we’ve seen throughout the state is a testament to Missourians’ readiness to bring sports betting revenue home and support our local schools, students and teachers in the process,” Winning for Missouri Education spokesperson Jack Cardetti said in a press release.

“As the campaign approaches our goal of putting this on the November ballot, Missouri is a step closer to allowing Missouri adults to bet on sports, while generating tens of millions in annual funding for our classrooms.”

Polling supports the Winning for Missouri Education

With the possibility of a Missouri sports betting launch in the news has come a handful of polls, asking Missouri citizens about their feelings on the issue. The latest is from Saint Louis University and YouGov in March.

Of the 900 residents polled, 60% support a legal sports betting platform in Missouri, while just 25% oppose such a plan. Of those between the ages of 18 and 29, 76% support legal sports betting, while 45% of those 65 and older polled also signaled their support for legal sports wagering in the state.

The Saint Louis University and YouGov figures reflect numbers from a FOX4 poll conducted in January. In that poll, 62% of respondents signaled their support for legal sports betting in the state. The poll found 69% of males and 57% of females felt that such a platform to benefit educational programs was appropriate.

Emerson College also saw 62% of those polled in February favoring the legalization of sports betting in Missouri.

The plan

If a Missouri sports betting platform does indeed become law, all of the aforementioned Missouri sports betting teams will be in line for a sports wagering license. The 13 state casinos will also be made eligible for the ability to provide wagering services in the state.

The proposed platform would be taxed at 10% and all revenues from sports betting have been earmarked for educational programs in the state. Tax revenue is expected to hit about $6.2 million in the first year and grow to as much as $26.7 million by the fourth year.

Under the plan, the Missouri Gaming Commission would be in charge of regulation.

What is on the line?

On the line is a possible constitutional amendment and the ability for Missouri residents to weigh in on the possibility on the November 5 election ballot.

With lawmakers unable to agree on a framework of a legal sports betting platform in the Show-Me-State, it is the expectation that the state’s sports teams may be the entity that sees the question and viability of legal sports betting in Missouri on the 2024 election ballot.

Once the people have spoken, it is hoped that lawmakers’ hands will be forced.