Missouri Sports Teams Back Sports Betting Ballot Initiatives

Attempts to bring legal sports betting to Missouri have been difficult. For the past few years, legislation has popped up, only to lose support and fall short of passage. This year, sports betting proponents have the assistance of professional sports teams to push the legislative agenda up that hill.

The St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis City Soccer Club, and the Kansas City Royals have thrown their weight behind nine initiatives filed by Jefferson City attorney Alixandra Cossette. If any one of the initiatives makes it onto a ballot and receives the approval of the voters, legal sports betting comes to Missouri.

The proposals are now in the public comment phase. Next, supporters need to collect enough signatures to get each initiative on the next ballot. Finally, each initiative must receive the approval of a majority of voters to clear the way for lawmakers to pass supporting legislation.

Details of the Missouri Sports Betting Initiatives

Each of the initiatives has different language, but they all share one goal: to legalize sports betting in Missouri. The proposed tax rate varies by proposal, ranging from 6.75% to 21%.

The ballot initiatives do not outline licensing fees for operators, but legislators have considered fees ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 in the past. Instead, each initiative leaves it up to the Missouri Gaming Commission to determine the fee structure after voters approve at least one initiative. A few of the proposals include official data provisions and where betting can take place, including online, existing gambling boats, and within entertainment districts.

The professional sports teams are hopeful that their push will get the ball rolling for betting in the state. A joint statement from the teams reads:

“As proud citizens of the State of Missouri, as stewards of the sports franchises within our respective communities, and as key stakeholders regarding the possible legalization of sports wagering in Missouri, we are united in our goal of supporting a responsible Missouri sports wagering law that is good for our teams, our fans, and the citizens of the great state of Missouri.”

For the proposals to make the ballot, supporters will need to certify valid signatures from 8% of voters located in six Congressional districts.

Missouri Has Been Considering Sports Betting Since 2019

In the past two years, there has been a significant effort to see sports betting legalized in Missouri. Lawmakers have introduced over 20 bills including some type of sports betting element within that short time frame. Despite the effort, none of these bills gained enough traction to pass into law.

In late 2020, three state senators announced that bills were coming in 2021. COVID-19 disrupted lawmakers’ schedule in 2020, delaying their proposed sports betting measures. Once 2021 arrived, new bills were on the table. Each looked to authorize mobile betting in the state but needed more details such as data mandates and integrity fees.

Now, Missouri is seeing a new wave of support for sports betting. The new initiatives have support from professional sports teams, and this may trigger legislative movement, with voters finally getting a shot at placing a sports bet in the state in the future.