Caesars Entertainment has contributed more than $4 million to a campaign aimed at defeating the Missouri sports betting ballot initiative scheduled for the Nov. 5 general election. Through its three Missouri-based casinos, Caesars donated $4,156,202.79 to the Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, a campaign actively opposing the initiative.
Caesars’ Opposition to the Ballot Initiative
Reports indicate that Caesars is against the proposed initiative, which would limit the company to a single online sportsbook license if sports betting is approved in the state. According to filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission, Caesars made four significant contributions to the opposition campaign through its corporate entity and casinos, as follows:
- Caesars Enterprise Services: $156,202.79
- Tropicana St. Louis: $1,300,000
- Harrah’s North Kansas: $1,400,000
- Isle of Capri Boonville: $1,300,000
Opposition’s Standpoint
A press release from the campaign suggests the Amendment 2 initiative mainly benefits out-of-state corporations. Brooke Foster, a spokesperson for Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, called the measure “deceptive” and argued that it would not serve the best interests of Missouri.
“This deceptive measure was written by and for the financial benefit of its out-of-state corporate sponsors and funders,” Foster said.
Details of the Ballot Initiative
Under the proposed measure, Missouri’s casinos would receive one online sports betting license, with two untethered licenses available for other sports betting companies. Caesars’ opposition likely stems from this limitation, as previous sports betting bills in the state allowed for multiple online betting skins per casino.
If passed, each Missouri sports team and casino would be eligible for one retail and one online sports betting license. These entities could partner with one online sports betting operator.
Lawsuit Fails to Stop Initiative
Opposition to the ballot initiative has grown, especially after a lawsuit aimed at removing the sports betting question from the ballot was defeated. The lawsuit, filed on Aug. 21 by Jacqueline Wood and Blake Lawrence, alleged that Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft incorrectly calculated valid signatures needed to get the initiative on the ballot. The judge ruled in favor of the initiative’s proponents.
FanDuel Supports the Initiative
On the other side of the debate, FanDuel contributed $1.5 million to the Winning for Missouri Education campaign, which supports the ballot initiative. FanDuel and DraftKings, who would be eligible for untethered online sports betting licenses if the initiative passes, have donated a combined total of $11.55 million to support the measure.
