If Missouri is going to get sports betting in 2024, it will happen at the ballot box.
The organization established to push for a voter amendment, “Winning for Missouri Education,” has collected more than 300,000 signatures, way more than the 180,000 valid names needed to be eligible for a constitutional amendment.
The group, funded in part by FanDuel and DraftKings, has until May 5 to submit its signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State. The goal is 325,000 by then.
“The tremendous support we’ve seen throughout the state is a testament to Missourians’ readiness to bring sports betting (tax) revenue home and support our local schools, students and teachers in the process,” spokesman Jack Cardetti told the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
The campaign has the backing of pro teams, which would be eligible for a license to book bets on site or online, if their venue holds a minimum of 11,500 seats. That could also apply to each of the 13 casinos.
Still, state Senator Denny Hoskins has some concerns.
“I’m not against putting that question on the ballot, but I’ve consistently said that the ballot language that they are using I believe does not best serve the people of Missouri,” he said, per STLtoday. The 10 percent tax rate is too low and not enough funding has been set aside for problem gambling.
Sports campaign legislation, which has gone down to defeat every year, included a path to legalize gambling machines in gas stations and other public places outside of casinos, a portion supported by Hoskins.
That element is not on the ballot.
If Hoskins had his way, the measure would combine the issues.
“I think that is the best plan if we combine those two together,” he said, per STLtoday. “I think a legislative plan would be better, but we’ve gone down that road and unfortunately the casinos kill any sort of compromise we try to come up with.”
As Hoskins sees it, Missouri won’t receive any money for education nor will funding nor will veteran homes and cemeteries. But the gambling machines, known as video lottery terminals, can fund these components.
