This amendment seeks to change the state constitution to legalize and tax betting on major sporting events. It calls for a 10% tax on sports betting, with $5 million set aside for a fund aimed at combating addictive gambling. The rest of the tax revenue would be distributed to public schools and colleges.

Bill DeWitt III, president of the St. Louis Cardinals, issued a statement commending citizens for their work in qualifying the sports betting initiative for the ballot.

“Missouri is now just one step away from joining most other states in legalizing sports betting and being able to provide millions of dollars to Missouri classrooms. On behalf of all six of Missouri’s professional sports teams, I would like to thank everyone who signed a petition to get this on the ballot.”

Key Takeaways

• Missouri residents will vote on a proposed amendment to legalize and tax sports betting on the Nov. 5 ballot.
• This amendment includes a 10% tax on sports betting.
• A separate proposal to license a new casino on the Osage River did not meet the required signature threshold and will not be on the ballot.

Missouri’s pro teams could launch branded betting platforms

The suggested change to the constitution would permit the state’s six teams to accept wagers on matches and various results. These teams are

• Kansas City Chiefs
• Kansas City Current
• Kansas City Royals
• St. Louis Blues
• St. Louis Cardinals
• St. Louis City SC

All six pro sports teams would be able to offer their own branded wagering platforms and exclusive advertising opportunities within and around their stadiums. Also, online wagering platforms could be licensed independently of the teams and casinos. They would have the option to apply for their own licenses.

The amendment would also make it possible for the state’s casino owners and two online gambling sites to qualify for these permits.

A new casino proposal falls short

Missouri relaunched its sports betting initiative early this year when it required the “Winning for Missouri Education” organization to collect at least 180,000 signatures from registered voters before May 5.

While supporters of a ballot initiative to legalize and tax sports betting gathered enough signatures in six congressional districts to qualify for the election, a separate proposal to license a new casino on the Osage River near the Lake of the Ozarks failed to make the ballot.

Falling short by 2,031 valid signatures in the 2nd Congressional District, the casino project intended to rival a planned Osage Nation casino was unsuccessful. A minimum signature threshold had to be met in six out of Missouri’s eight congressional districts for each initiative. Unfortunately, the 2nd District submissions contained 11,732 invalid signatures.

Although the Osage River Gaming and Convention organizers are sort of stumped right now, they are figuring out what to do going forward.

By Tebearau Egbe