Betting News 
The push to legalize sports betting in Missouri continues to gain traction, with the latest poll showing strong support for Amendment 2, the sports betting initiative on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
According to a recent Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey of 850 Missouri voters, a majority of respondents are in favor of legalizing sports betting, despite an increasingly well-funded opposition campaign.
Majority Support for Sports Betting
The survey reveals that 52% of likely voters support Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting in the state. Only 25% of respondents are opposed, while the remaining voters are undecided. Men are particularly in favor, with 59% supporting the measure, compared to 46% of women.
Jack Cardetti, spokesperson for the Winning for Education Missouri campaign, highlighted the potential benefits of legal sports betting:
“The revenue generated from legal sports betting will support our schools and provide much-needed funding to improve education across the state.”
A similar poll conducted in August by Saint Louis University (SLU)/YouGov found that 50% of voters supported legal sports betting, with 30% opposed.
Younger Voters Lead the Way
Younger voters, particularly those aged 18 to 29, are the most enthusiastic about legalizing sports betting, with 64% supporting the measure. Support declines with age, as only 44% of voters aged 65 and over said they would vote in favor of the amendment.
Additionally, those with higher education levels and incomes are more likely to support the sports betting amendment compared to those with lower educational backgrounds and incomes.
Opposition Funded by Caesars
A growing opposition campaign, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, officially filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission on Sept. 10 to oppose the initiative. The campaign has received more than $4 million in funding from Caesars Entertainment, which is not in favor of the current ballot measure.
Caesars’ opposition stems from the fact that the initiative would only provide the company with one online sportsbook license if the amendment is passed. This limitation contrasts with previous versions of Missouri’s sports betting legislation, which would have allowed multiple online sports betting licenses per casino.
Structure of Amendment 2
Under the proposed Amendment 2, each Missouri casino and sports team would be eligible for one retail and one online sports betting license. Additionally, two untethered licenses would be available to other sports betting operators without ties to existing casinos or teams.
While some gaming companies like DraftKings and FanDuel have supported the amendment and would be eligible for untethered licenses, Caesars has pushed back against the initiative, funding the opposition campaign through contributions from its three Missouri casinos:
- Tropicana St. Louis: $1.3 million
- Harrah’s North Kansas: $1.4 million
- Isle of Capri Boonville: $1.3 million
What’s Next?
As the November 5 vote approaches, the debate over Amendment 2 is intensifying, with both supporters and opponents ramping up their efforts to sway Missouri voters. Should the initiative pass, Missouri could join a growing list of states that have legalized sports betting, providing new revenue streams for education and other public services.
