Missourians Flocking to Support Sports Betting Ballot Initiative

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY SportsThe Winning for Missouri Education campaign has gathered more than 300,000 signatures for its sports betting initiativeThe state requires nearly 180,000 valid signature to place a question on an election ballotThe campaign is hoping to collect 325,000 signatures before May 5 deadline

While Missouri lawmakers are embroiled in controversy, a campaign is moving closer to its goal to place a sports betting initiative question on the state’s November general election ballot.

The Winning for Missouri Education campaign today announced it has collected over 300,000 signatures for its initiative to legalize sports betting in Missouri. The campaign needs to collect roughly 180,000 valid signatures to place a sports betting initiative on the state’s November general election ballot.

Six Missouri professional sports teams are supporting the campaign to allow Missouri voters to decide the state’s sports betting fate.

Nearing Deadline for Signatures

The campaign has collected over 300,000 signatures so far, but noted it hopes to collect close to 325,000 signatures before the Missouri Secretary of State’s May 5 deadline for the initiative.

“The tremendous support we’ve seen throughout the state is a testament to Missourians’ readiness to bring sports betting revenue home and support our local schools, students and teachers in the process,” said Winning for Missouri Education spokesperson Jack Cardetti in a press release. “As the campaign approaches our goal of putting this on the November ballot, Missouri is a step closer to allowing Missouri adults to bet on sports, while generating tens of millions in annual funding for our classrooms.”

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

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.

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.

If the necessary signatures are collected, Missouri voters would decide the state’s sports betting fate at the Tuesday, Nov. 5, general election.

Polls Show Missouri Sports Betting Support

According to a poll published in March by Saint Louis University and YouGov, 60% of respondents support legalized sports betting in Missouri, compared with just 25% of those surveyed who believe sports betting should remain illegal in the state.

The poll surveyed 900 likely Missouri voters about their opinions regarding the 2024 election and issues facing the state and country. According to its results, 76% of young people between the age of 18 and 29 support Missouri sports betting legalization, compared with 45% of those aged 65 and older in the state.

The issue also has support across all major parties in Missouri, as 66% of democrats, 58% of republicans, and 56% of independents support sports betting legalization.

The results of this poll are similar to those published in late January from the Kansas City Fox News affiliate, FOX4, and Emerson College. The poll surveyed 1,830 registered Missouri voters, which found that 62% of the respondents supported legalizing sports betting to help fund Missouri education.

The survey found that 69% of male voters and 57% of female voters would vote in favor of a ballot initiative to legalize Missouri sports betting.