The High-Stakes Battle Over Sports Betting in Missouri
As the November ballot approaches, the landscape of sports betting legislation in Missouri is becoming increasingly contentious. A recent development has seen the campaign opposing a constitutional amendment for legal sports betting cancel over $1 million in television advertisements, just as the initiative’s supporters ramp up their campaign with high-profile endorsements. The political and financial stakes have never been higher for Missourians as they prepare to weigh in on Amendment 2, which seeks to legalize sports wagering in the state.
The Campaign Against Amendment 2
The group known as Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment has been vigorously campaigning against the proposed Amendment 2, originally earmarked for nearly $4 million in television advertisements. However, they announced on Thursday that they would cancel approximately $1.2 million worth of ads, choosing instead to redirect their resources toward grassroots outreach and direct community engagement. According to spokesperson Brooke Foster, this shift allows the campaign to build more personal connections with voters during the crucial weeks leading up to the election.
"Our focus is to have community conversations and grassroots outreach," Foster stated, indicating a strategic pivot in response to the advertising landscape, which has been dominated by significant spending from out-of-state online gambling companies.
Funding Dynamics
The financial architecture of this campaign is noteworthy. Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment has received a substantial backing of $14.2 million from Caesars Entertainment-owned casinos, marking a significant disparity in funding compared to their opponents. Caesars is currently the only one of Missouri’s six licensed casino operators actively campaigning against the ballot measure.
In stark contrast, the committee supporting Amendment 2, titled Winning for Missouri Education, is benefiting from an unprecedented level of financial backing, making it the most-funded ballot measure campaign in the state’s history. Major sports betting operators like FanDuel and DraftKings have each contributed $15.8 million, and their combined television and radio advertising spend has approached nearly $10 million.
Jack Cardetti, spokesperson for Winning for Missouri Education, expressed confidence in their position, although he refrained from commenting on the significance of the opposition’s ad cancellations. “We feel really good about where we are right now," he said, emphasizing their focus on conveying the benefits of legalized sports betting to voters.
Public Sentiment and Polls
Public opinion on sports betting in Missouri appears to be favorably inclined, at least in part. An August poll conducted by St. Louis University/YouGov indicated that 50% of voters supported the measure, while only 30% opposed it. However, the impact of the opposing advertisements has led to a tightening of these margins, a situation that underscores the fluid nature of voter sentiment in the lead-up to the election.
The campaign against Amendment 2 has already shown signs of effectiveness, particularly as the television ads began airing in early September with the intent to sway undecided voters. Foster noted that while initial support for Amendment 2 was strong, the heightened ad presence had managed to significantly narrow the gap.
What Amendment 2 Proposes
If Amendment 2 passes, it would establish a 10% tax rate on sports betting in Missouri, allowing both online and retail wagering. The measure would enable the state’s professional sports franchises and its 13 casinos to operate within a regulated market. Two online betting platforms would be eligible to receive licensing, creating new revenue streams for the state and opportunities for businesses involved in the sports industry.
Legalizing sports betting would bring Missouri in line with 38 other states and Washington D.C. that have already embraced some form of legalized wagering. Alongside sports betting, voters will also face decisions on other key issues, including a potential overturning of the state’s abortion ban and discussions around raising the minimum wage.
Conclusion
As the clock ticks down to Election Day, both sides of the argument find themselves entrenched in a high-stakes campaign that encapsulates the broader debates surrounding gambling, regulation, and economic opportunity. The choices presented to Missouri voters will not only affect the immediate landscape of gambling in the state but will also reflect shifting cultural attitudes toward sports betting nationwide. In a matter of weeks, Missourians will have the opportunity to claim their stake in this pivotal moment in the state’s legislative trajectory.
