A coalition of Missouri professional sports franchises made a bold move on Thursday morning by submitting over 340,000 petition signatures to the secretary of state’s office in an effort to legalize sports gambling in the state. The initiative, spearheaded by a committee called Winning for Missouri Education, aims to put the issue on the November ballot after facing repeated setbacks in the General Assembly.
The proposed measure would amend the Missouri Constitution to allow sports wagering, granting licenses to teams, casinos, and online platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings. Representatives from various sports teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals, gathered outside the secretary of state’s office to advocate for the initiative, citing the potential for generating millions in tax revenue to support education in the state.
Despite opposition from some members of the Missouri Senate who have raised concerns about the impact of problem gambling, neighboring states have already legalized sports betting, prompting Missouri sports teams to push for a change in legislation. The coalition emphasized the need to keep revenue within the state and engage fans in the decision-making process.
If the signatures are verified, the measure could proceed to a public vote in the November election. Additionally, the General Assembly is considering a measure that would require approval from a majority of congressional districts, potentially altering the approval process for November. The push for sports gambling legalization in Missouri reflects a growing trend across the country, with 38 states already allowing some form of sports wagering.