Ballot Proposal Narrowly Approved, Launch Possible for January 2025
Voters in Missouri narrowly voted to pass a ballot proposal that legalizes sports betting. Under the terms of the approval, sports betting must be launched in 2025. It’s possible MO sportsbooks could be available in time for the NFL Playoffs in January.
Missouri voters approved a ballot prop legalizing sports betting.
Sports Betting May Debut in Missouri in Time for NFL Playoffs
After years of struggle, Missouri finally succeeded in making sports betting a reality in the state via the passage of Amendment 2 on Nov. 5.
Amendment 2 passed by 7,486 votes out of nearly three million votes cast. A simple majority was needed, and the ballot proposal passed in this dark red state that has opposed the expansion of gambling in the past.
The passage of Amendment 2 was welcomed by the professional sports teams in this state.
“Missouri has some of the best sports fans in the world, and they showed up big for their favorite teams on Election Day,” said Bill DeWitt III, the president of the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and several other sports figures and athletic organizations had campaigned hard for passage of the amendment this year. Gaming companies DraftKings and FanDuel reportedly poured more than $40 million into marketing campaigns in the state supporting the ballot prop.
Many MO sports fans desire the chance to wager on the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL. The Chiefs could become the first team to win three consecutive titles in the Super Bowl era.
Also supporting the proposal was Winning for Missouri Education, which touted the millions of dollars that would be raised via tax revenue from sports betting for education programs.
The law says sports betting must be implemented no later than the end of 2025. However, observers believe the state could push to implement it quickly so fans can place bets on the NFL playoffs in January. Professional and college football are the most popular types of betting in the U.S.
Missouri becomes the 39th state to pass some form of legal sports betting. Most of those states passed legislation following a landmark decision by the US Supreme Court in 2018 that cleared the way for states to do so.
Structure of MO Sportsbook Licensing is in Doubt
While voters gave their nod to go forward with sports betting in the Show Me State, it’s unclear how it will be implemented.
The Missouri Gaming Commission will be charged with setting up the guidelines and managing a process to launch sports betting. That will include licensure.
It’s unclear how Missouri will issue licenses. It could award up to two licenses to commercial sports betting companies, such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and so on.
However, by the amendment language, all six major professional sports teams in MO will be permitted to host a retail sportsbook in or near its stadium. Those teams can also partner with gaming companies or work independently to establish an online sportsbook.
By law, Missouri’s six casinos can also launch sportsbooks branded in a few different ways, either with commercial licensees or not.
In other states that have legal sports betting, a competitive market has proven successful and advantageous for consumers. That means licensure for commercial gaming companies and the inclusion of casinos, tribal nations, and professional teams.
