Missouri Voters Settle Sports Betting Legalization Tuesday

• Missouri voters have the power to legalize sports betting by a simple majority in Tuesday’s November Election.
• With monetary and public support appearing behind it, many believe Amendment 2 will pass.

ST. LOUIS – Missouri residents will soon vote on a significant measure to legalize sports betting statewide. Amendment 2, as it’s officially known, would allow sports betting for individuals over 21, with support appearing strong at 52%, according to a recent Emerson College/The Hill poll.

The proposed law includes a 10% tax on sports betting revenue, with the first $5 million dedicated to a compulsive gambling prevention fund, and the remainder earmarked for K-12 and higher education.

The November vote comes after years of failed legislation, dating back to 2018. If passed, Missouri residents could place bets as early as December 1, 2025. Notably, both men and women back the measure, with men at a higher rate of support—59% compared to 46% among women.

Understanding Amendment 2: What’s at Stake

Missourians will see a simple yes-or-no question on their ballots. A ‘yes’ would authorize the Missouri Gaming Commission to regulate legal sports betting, including online and in-person betting at professional sports districts and riverboat casinos.

Retail licenses would carry a $250,000 fee, and mobile licenses would be set at $500,000. Each license must be renewed every five years.

Supporters of Amendment 2 argue that legal sports betting would keep tax dollars within the state. However, some detractors, such as the Kansas City teachers’ union, question the actual benefit to educators, doubting if the funds will truly impact teacher salaries. Amendment 2 does not address legalizing Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs), another point of contention that has hindered previous legislative efforts.

Potential Sportsbooks in Missouri

If Amendment 2 passes, Missouri will join its neighboring states with sports betting, bringing major sportsbooks to the area.

Caesars Sportsbook, with three land-based casinos in Missouri, would likely enter the market. Additionally, DraftKings and FanDuel, both front-runners for “untethered” licenses that don’t require land-based partnerships, have invested the most money a Missouri ballot has ever raised in promoting Amendment 2.

Other potential operators include BetMGM, which has a partnership with Boyd Gaming, Bally Bet, and ESPN Bet under PENN Entertainment.

This diverse roster would provide Missouri residents with a variety of betting options, outside of the legal sportsbooks offshore currently accepting Missouri residents.

Mayoral Support, Advertisements, and Revenue Estimates

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas have both endorsed Amendment 2, underscoring the economic benefits. Mayor Jones highlighted the current trend of Missourians crossing into nearby states to place bets, calling it a “missed opportunity” for the state.

“Missourians are betting on sports, we just aren’t getting any of the benefit,” Jones stated.

Kansas City’s Mayor Lucas also noted Missouri’s passion for sports, from playoff baseball to major tournaments, and stressed the value of keeping sports betting revenue in-state.

“Now is the time to allow our teams to further engage with fans, while also keeping the money from sports betting right here,” Lucas said.

The amendment has stirred heated advertising campaigns too. Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment recently canceled $1.2 million in ads, reportedly shifting to a grassroots approach. The pro-Amendment 2 campaign, Winning for Missouri Education, continues airing ads, including a spot featuring St. Louis Cardinals legend Ozzie Smith.

Because of deductions being allowed on promotional spending, estimates for the tax revenue generated by sports betting range wide. But critics argue that up to $29 million annually could be received by the state with how much money is bet on the sports in the US and locally.

With both gubernatorial candidates also supporting it, Amendment 2 has broad-based political and public backing. The ultimate decision now lies with Missouri voters, who will weigh in on how Missouri sports betting plays out on Tuesday.

News tags: Amendment 2 | Caesars | DraftKings | Emerson College | FanDuel | Missouri | Missouri Gaming Commission | Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment | Quinton Lucas | The Hill | Tishaura Jones | VLT | Winning for Missouri Education