The Missouri sports betting ballot initiative passed by a narrow margin on Election Day. As it turns out, the actual margin was even tighter.
Votes counted nearly two weeks after they were cast show a winning margin of less than 1,000 votes. That’s well within the margin for a recount, should anyone with a vested interest in the Missouri sports betting outcome be interested in one.
More on the Missouri sports betting vote
Initially, the reported margin of victory was just over 4,300 votes, out of approximately three million votes cast. The Missouri Independent, however, reported additional information Monday, with one county’s late votes overwhelmingly opposed to the Missouri sports betting amendment (Amendment 2).
Christian County, located between Springfield and Branson in the southern part of the state, reported more than 9,000 additional ballots. Those saw a margin of nearly 4,000 against Amendment 2. On its own, that would shrink Amendment 2’s winning margin to less than 400 votes.
Other counties around the state, though, did see some more votes trickle in. Those batches saw slight majorities in favor of Missouri sports betting. As of this writing on Tuesday morning, Amendment 2’s majority stands at 720 votes.
What’s next?
Votes must be certified by Missouri’s jurisdictions by the end of Tuesday. If the 720-vote margin stands, a recount is possible if one is requested. However, The Missouri Independent quotes JoDonn Chaney (a spokesman for Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft), who says only certain groups can do so.
The initiative’s loudest opponent, a group named Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, spent about $15 million opposing the measure. However, it pulled its television ads in the weeks before Election Day. The group commented that it has no plans to contest the election’s outcome.
Missouri must certify its election results by Tuesday, Dec. 10. Should Amendment 2 officially pass, MO sports betting (and, by extension, Missouri sports betting promos) would be greenlit for a launch after years of legislative gridlock.
The amendment states it must go live no later than December of 2025. Given the launch timelines of other states, a “go live” date would likely come over the summer (prior to the NFL and college football seasons).
