We’re three months away from Election Day and a referendum on Missouri sports betting. A ballot initiative garnered enough signatures from Missouri citizens earlier this year, and as a result, the industry may finally get to open its virtual doors in the Show-Me State.
Will that initiative actually pass, though? It may not be a slam dunk.
Important Missouri sports betting milestone still yet to happen
The first big step comes from the Missouri Secretary of State. By August 13th, that office must ratify 170,000 signatures in order to officially ensure the spot on the ballot.
This should not be a problem. Winning for Missouri Education, the coalition behind the Missouri sports betting legislation, garnered more than 340,000 signatures during its petition effort.
Is petition support reflected in polls?
Earlier this year, studies showed widespread, bipartisan support for Missouri sports betting. One poll showed 62% of respondents approve of the industry’s launch, which could happen as early as mid-2025 if the ballot initiative passes.
However, another poll conducted in June showed a much slimmer margin. That study, conducted by Emerson College and The Hill, showed just a 3% advantage for Missouri sports betting, which is within that poll’s margin of error. Furthermore, it showed many undecided voters, ones Winning for Missouri Education will need to persuade over the next few months.
More on the proposed Missouri sports betting bill
The proposal in the ballot initiative would tax legal sports betting operators at a 10% clip. That’s one of the lowest, most operator-friendly rates in the country, and it sparked criticism from one of the industry’s loudest opponents.
Sen. Denny Hoskins, who has played a huge role in blocking several pieces of Missouri sports betting legislation, said earlier this year that the tax rate is too low. He argued it did nothing to support the state’s veterans, and that, despite the repeated lack of progress in legislative sessions, such a path would eventually result in a better bill.
Unlike most of his colleagues, Hoskins believes sports betting legislation should include video lottery terminals, or VLT’s. Over the years, he and his allies have used this stance as a reason to block several relevant bills.
Hoskins, however, is term-limited, and will not be in the Senate when it convenes for the 2025 legislative session. If Missouri sports betting is not approved on Election Day, it will almost certainly be a hot topic just a few months later, this time without a major obstructionist opposing legislation.
