We’re four weeks away from the biggest day in the fight to legalize Missouri sports betting. Election Day will see voters go to the polls and, potentially, greenlight the legalization of the Missouri sports betting industry.
That happens four Tuesdays from now, on November 5th. We’ve got some time between now and then, but at this point, here’s where things stand.
Potential Missouri sports betting outlets providing support
According to Winning for Missouri Education (the organization behind the Missouri sports betting ballot initiative), sportsbooks have been sending significant donations to the cause. FanDuel Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, and others have donated more than $31 million to the organization, and more support may be coming as Election Day draws closer.
This isn’t surprising, of course. If and when Missouri sports betting is legalized, sportsbooks will be chomping at the bit to go live in the Show-Me State. Those in the state can expect plenty of attractive Missouri sports betting promos from those operators, too.
The biggest donor is Caesars, which has a presence in Missouri already. The company operates multiple casinos in the state. Through those businesses, Caesars has funneled more than $14 million to Winning for Missouri Education.
Both governor candidates support the measure
In an uncommon show of bipartisan unity, both candidates for the Missouri governorship have come out in favor of Missouri sports betting. The question was asked at a recent debate, which aired on CSPAN in September.
“I do support this initiative — this measure,” said Democrat Crystal Quade. “This is one, again, that I wish the legislature had been able to actually get this done appropriately…due to all of the corporate tax cuts that have been happening in the state of Missouri — and the tax cuts for the wealthiest in our state — we do have a shortage of funding in our state for things like education, mental health care and all of the things that we desperately want to support. So, I do support this measure and the money that will come in from that.”
“All of our surrounding states already have sports gambling products that their citizens can take advantage of,” added Republican Mike Kehoe. “We’re sitting in the center as an area that does not have it…I’m not a fan of gambling, and I don’t bet on games. But, I believe it’s a tool that we need for Missourians (for) additional recreation. I do think what the ballot measure provides funding for is appropriate.”
Polls show plenty of backing for Missouri sports betting
Recent polls are hard to come by, but one conducted by Emerson College and The Hill in mid-September should give sports betting enthusiasts reason to be optimistic. That poll showed 52% of respondents in support of the ballot initiative. One-quarter of respondents opposed it, while 23% responded with uncertainty.
This is a much more bullish picture than one painted by a poll earlier this year. That one, also conducted by Emerson and The Hill, showed the matter as a toss-up, with just a 3% margin in favor of the initiative.
