Missouri Legal Sports Betting Confirmed

Missouri state election officials have confirmed that a sports betting measure on the November election ballot passed with 50.5% of the vote.

The Missouri Gaming Commission has previously stated that if the amendment passed, it would seek to have all processes in place for a launch in late spring or early summer. The first step in that process will be to draft sports betting rules ahead of opening the application process for licensing.

In Missouri, recounts on ballot questions can be requested within seven days of certification if the winning margin is less than 0.5% of the total votes cast.

A representative for Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft stated on Thursday that any recount request must be submitted by someone directly involved in one of the campaigns. However, a spokesperson for the opposition group, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, confirmed that they do not intend to request a recount.

The constitutional amendment allows Missouri’s casinos and professional sports teams to offer both on-site and mobile sports betting. Teams will manage on-site betting and advertising within 400 yards (366 meters) of their stadiums or arenas.

Sports betting revenue in Missouri will be subject to a 10% tax, lower than the national average of 19% paid by sportsbooks to states last year. The initiative earmarks at least $5 million annually from licensing fees and taxes for problem gambling programs, with the remaining tax revenue allocated to elementary, secondary, and higher education.

The measure reached the ballot through a petition initiative after repeated efforts to legalize sports betting failed in the state Senate.

Record Breaking Ballot Campaign

The campaign in support of Missouri’s sports betting measure — the largest-ever for a state ballot initiative — was primarily bankrolled by DraftKings and FanDuel, and cost $43 million.

Missouri’s six major professional sports teams — the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Current, and St. Louis City SC — contributed a combined $2 million to the effort.

Jenny Tang

An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.