Missouri’s Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has signed off on language for a legal sports betting ballot measure.
According to reports, the measure supported by the state’s professional sports teams is now ready for the petition stage. Organizers of the measure must now choose one of eight versions that they must put before voters as they look to collect the required 170,000 signatures in order to place sports betting on the ballot.
The coalition filed eight proposed ballot questions which vary slightly in language and details. However, all eight versions propose a 10% tax on wagers and call for the creation of a $5 million problem gambling fund.
If approved, the ballot measure would allow the state’s professional sports teams and Missouri’s 13 casinos to offer both retail and online sports betting.
Pro Sports Teams Backing Ballot Measure
The latest attempt to launch legal sports betting in Missouri is being led by the sports team coalition which includes the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, St. Louis Blues hockey team and St. Louis City soccer club.
Speaking following the Ashcroft’s sign off, Bill DeWitt III, Cardinals president, said the coalition would now meet with mobile sports betting operators to discuss which version to go forward with before mapping out a strategy to collect the necessary signatures over the coming weeks.
The coalition has opted to go down the initiative route asking voters for their direct input after a series of unsuccessful legislative attempts to legalize sports betting in recent years. However DeWitt said that they would be happy to avoid going to the ballots if the state’s lawmakers could come to an agreement on sports betting in the coming legislative session.
“I would be thrilled if we could get legislative action because then we wouldn’t have to do it. I’m hopeful, but I’m also being realistic.”
Voter Approval Not Guaranteed
A recent poll of Missouri voters suggests that sports betting may not get the support it needs from the electorate. A Remington Research Group survey carried out for the Missouri Scout political newsletter found that 54% of those surveyed were opposed to legalizing sports betting while only 26% were in favor. the remaining 20% said they were unsure.
Ciaran has been working within the Gambling Industry as a deep analyst since 2019. His deep knowledge and understanding of all the gambling regulations, and processes makes him a true asset, and an always valuable point of view for Gambling Industry News, allowing us to cover every topics from a brand new perspective.
