Mascots join forces to support campaign for legalizing sports betting

Missouri’s professional sports teams made a big push on Thursday to bring sports betting to the state, as they turned in over 340,000 voter signatures to put a ballot proposal before voters this November. The campaign received a boost from beloved mascots like Fredbird, Sluggerrr, and Louie, who enthusiastically waved as they delivered boxes of signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office in Jefferson City.

The proposed constitutional amendment would allow Missouri’s 13 casinos and six professional sports teams to offer onsite and mobile sports betting. Teams would have control over onsite betting and advertising within 400 yards of their stadiums and arenas. Additionally, the initiative would allow for two mobile sports betting operators to be licensed directly by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

The campaign is an attempt to bypass the Senate, where bills to legalize sports betting have repeatedly stalled. Currently, Missouri is one of just a dozen states where sports wagering remains illegal more than five years after the U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for states to adopt it.

If approved by voters, state regulators would have until December 1, 2025, to launch sports betting. At least $5 million annually in licensing fees and taxes would be allocated towards problem gambling programs, with the remaining tax revenues going towards education.

The coalition of teams supporting the initiative includes the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current and St. Louis City soccer teams. With the support of these sports icons, the campaign is hoping to bring sports betting to Missouri and generate revenue for important programs in the state.