New Emerson College Poll Shows Voters Split on Missouri Sports Betting

Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) warms up before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY SportsA new poll from Emerson College shows Missouri voters are split on sports betting legalization1,000 respondents participated in the college’s pollA coalition has submitted signatures to place a sports betting referendum on the November general election ballot

Maybe voters don’t overwhelmingly approve of the legalization of Missouri sports betting as once thought?

A new poll published by Emerson College shows Missouri voters are split on the potential legalization of sports betting. Voters may be faced with this question in November, as a state coalition of professional sports teams are trying to place a sports betting referendum on the state’s November general election ballot.

Emerson College Polling/The Hill conducted a survey of 1,000 registered voters from June 17 to 19.

Voters Narrowly Approve of Sports Betting in Poll

If sports betting were to be on the ballot in November, 38% of respondents to the poll would vote to legalize sports betting while 35% would vote against it. However, 26% of respondents are not sure how they would vote at this time.

The question could become a reality in November, as the Winning for Missouri Education coalition recently submitted  more than 340,000 signatures to place a sports betting question on the state’s November general election ballot. The St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis CITY SC, and the Kansas City Current are supporting the sports betting initiative in the state.

With the signature collecting process now complete, the signatures will  be counted by county clerks and the Secretary of State’s Office. According to the Winning for Missouri Education coalition, state officials will let them know if the campaign is successful something around July.

If legalized, sports betting would be taxed at a rate of 10% and would directly support Missouri public education.

According to the initiative, each Missouri sports team and casino will be eligible to operate retail and online sports betting. Each sports team and casino would be eligible for one retail sports betting license through the bill. Additionally, each sports team and casino would be eligible for one online sports betting license. Each team and casino would be able to partner with one online sports betting operator.

Respondents Want Chiefs, Royals to Stay in State

Also included in the poll was a question about how important it was to respondents that the Kansas City Chiefs  and Royals remain in Missouri. The majority of participants said it was important that both stay in the state.

63% of voters find it important that the Chiefs stay in Missouri, 37% do not find it important58% of voters find it important that the Royals stay in Missouri, 42% find it not important

It’s an interesting question to pose, as neighboring Kansas is making a push to lure both teams across the border.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) recently signed a bill, HB 2001, into law, which amends the STAR (Sales Tax and Revenue) bond program to potentially fund the future construction of a Kansas City Chiefs or Kansas City Royals stadium in the state.

STAR bonds are funded through future tax revenues at the stadiums, tax revenues from retailers around the stadium, and millions in sports betting and lottery revenues.

According to The Kansas City Star, representatives from both the Chiefs and Royals praised the new legislation and the options it provides.

“We support their efforts to expand the existing program and congratulate them on passing the legislation in special session. We look forward to exploring the options this legislation may provide,” the Kansas City Chiefs wrote in a statement.

Two months ago Missouri voters in Jackson County rejected a 40-year, three-eighths cent sales tax proposal to keep the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri. Both teams dedicated to remain in the state if the proposal had passed.