Missouri Group Fights Sports Betting Amendment

sports betting should be legalized in Missouri during the November election. The group’s mission is to persuade voters to reject the amendment.

Brooke Foster, spokeswoman for the campaign, emphasized the motives behind their opposition, stating, “This deceptive measure was written by and for the financial benefit of its out-of-state corporate sponsors and funders.” The campaign is actively working to build awareness about its concerns regarding Amendment 2, which involves digital sports betting platforms.

The launch of this campaign comes after a legal challenge to Amendment 2 was resolved. In a recent case, Circuit Court Judge Daniel Green of Cole County ruled in favor of keeping the amendment on the ballot for the election. The lawsuit, initiated by two plaintiffs, argued that the group behind the amendment, Winning for Missouri Education, did not collect enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. However, Judge Green’s ruling allowed the amendment to move forward.

Winning for Missouri Education, the group that s Amendment 2, had gathered more than 340,000 signatures in favor of bringing regulated sports betting to Missouri. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft confirmed the validity of the signatures in August, which cleared the path for the amendment to be presented to voters in November.

Winning for Missouri Education has garnered significant from major sports organizations. The coalition includes six professional sports teams, such as the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis City SC, Kansas City Current, Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Chiefs, reigning Super Bowl champions. These teams are strongly backing the amendment and have been advocating for the legalization of sports betting in Missouri.

In addition to the sports teams, the initiative is also ed by leading online sports betting operators FanDuel and DraftKings. These companies have played a major role in financing the coalition’s efforts, contributing to the $6 million the group has raised to promote Amendment 2. This funding has allowed the coalition to launch its first television and media ments in of sports betting in Missouri.

A recent poll conducted by Saint Louis University and YouGov offers insight into voter sentiment on the sports betting issue. The poll revealed that 50% of likely voters in the November election would vote in favor of legalizing sports betting through Amendment 2. This data suggests that there is considerable for sports betting across the state.

However, not all voters are convinced. According to the same poll, 30% of respondents stated they were definitively against sports betting. With such a divide in opinion, the outcome of the vote remains uncertain, and both sides continue to rally their ers.

Campaign Efforts to Oppose Amendment 2

Despite the strong backing of professional sports teams and digital betting platforms, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment is determined to halt the push for legalized sports betting. The campaign’s primary argument is that Amendment 2 serves the interests of out-of-state corporations rather than benefiting the residents of Missouri. Opponents argue that the tax revenue promised for education might not materialize as d, adding to their concerns.

The campaign has also emphasized the risks associated with online gambling, including the potential for problem gambling to increase. They are using these points to bolster their efforts to sway voters against the amendment.

With the election date quickly approaching, the campaign’s strategy will likely focus on reaching undecided voters and presenting their case that Amendment 2 is not in the best interest of the state.

Source:

”Campaign launches effort to prevent sports betting in Missouri”, sbcamericas.com, September 13, 2024.