Missouri Ballot For Sports Betting Nears But What Are The Chances?

Missouri State Senate

Sports betting supporters in Missouri have been eagerly awaiting a breakthrough in the legalization and this year seems promising as a ballot proposal has been approved, led by the Missouri Sports Betting Coalition, the push for legalization comes after previous attempts fell short in the Senate.

The journey to legalize sports betting in Missouri has been riddled with obstacles and political hurdles. Despite the efforts of the Missouri Sports Betting Coalition and industry stakeholders, progress has been hindered by the actions of certain legislators. In the past two sessions, a House sports betting bill made its way to the Senate, only to be filibustered by Sen. Denny Hoskins, ultimately leading to its demise. The coalition, consisting of Missouri casinos, sports teams, and national sportsbook operators, has been advocating for the legislation.

Rep. Dan Houx plans to reintroduce the same legislation in the current session, but Hoskins has indicated that he will persist with his obstructionist tactics. Hoskins has received donations from video lottery terminal (VLT) companies, which has influenced his stance on legalizing these devices. However, VLTs have proven to be a non-starter in the legislature, creating a conflict of interest between Hoskins and the casinos. The clash between Hoskins and the casinos has contributed to the dysfunction surrounding the issue of sports betting in Missouri.

In an attempt to bypass the legislative gridlock, the Missouri Sports Betting Coalition took matters into their own hands by submitting ballot proposals. The approved ballot language has set the stage for the coalition to secure at least 170,000 signatures from Missourians by May 5th. If successful, the question of legalizing sports betting will be put before voters in the November elections. The coalition is rumoured to have secured up to $20 million in funding for the ballot initiative, signalling their commitment to the cause. However, doubts remain about the effectiveness of this approach.

Industry sources have expressed concerns about the lack of teeth behind the ballot initiative. They argue that if a ballot initiative is deemed the right approach, efforts should have begun earlier in the year, independent of the legislative process. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the ballot initiative, it serves as a safety net in case the legislature fails to legalize sports betting once again. Bill DeWitt III, President of the St. Louis Cardinals, has voiced his support for the ballot push, highlighting the potential benefits it could bring to businesses like the Cardinals.

“We don’t think Denny is serious,” DeWitt said. “The door for negotiation is always open. But when you insist on doing the business of Illinois gray-machine companies, it makes it tough.”

DeWitt believes that sports betting would attract new fan demographics and unlock a significant sponsorship category for sports teams.

Gauging public support for sports betting in Missouri has been a challenge. A poll conducted in February revealed that 35% of Missourians believe sports betting should be legalized. However, a more recent study conducted in November reported that only 26% of voters support the idea. These numbers indicate a lack of consensus among the public, making it difficult to predict the outcome of any potential legalization efforts.

If sports betting were to be legalized in Missouri, Rep. Dan Houx’s legislation provides insight into what the industry might look like. The legislation grants sportsbooks and casinos the opportunity to offer online sports betting through various skins. Additionally, in-person sportsbooks would be permitted at the state’s casinos. Houx’s language suggests the possibility of up to 39 sportsbooks operating in Missouri.