An effort to legalize sports betting in Missouri checked an important box Thursday.
Winning for Missouri Education submitted over 340,000 signatures to the state’s Secretary of State’s office in hopes of placing sports betting legalization on the November ballot. The initiative, which is spearheaded by six professional sports franchises in the state, plans to use sports betting tax revenue to fund Missouri educational measures.
“As one of only 12 states without legalized sports betting, Missouri took a significant step forward today in ensuring that these revenues stay in Missouri to help our communities and classrooms,” Jack Cardetti, spokesman for Winning for Missouri Education, said in a press release. “We are grateful for the support from Missouri’s professional sports franchises, who have been crucial in creating the opportunity for Missourians to vote directly on this issue in November.”
Efforts to legalize sports betting through bills in the state have stalled in recent years, and 2024 efforts don’t appear promising. As a result, the state’s sports franchises are trying to legalize betting through a different route.
“We stand united with all of Missouri’s professional sports franchises in support of the campaign and believe that it is time for Missourians to have the opportunity to legalize responsible sports betting, while generating tens of millions of dollars for our public schools each year,” Adam Sachs, senior vice president and chief external affairs officer of the Kansas City Royals, said at a Thursday press conference.
Next steps
The petition needed approximately 180,000 valid signatures to appear on the November ballot. The campaign far surpassed that number. Winning for Missouri Education says it anticipates the Secretary of State’s Office will certify successful campaigns “around July.”
Should the question of legalized sports betting appear on the November ballot, it needs majority support from voters to be approved. Approval would pave the way for betting apps and retail sportsbooks to launch in Missouri.
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The Missouri Gaming Commission would regulate sports betting in the state, and sports betting would be taxed at 10%.