Missouri’s November Ballot to Feature Sports Betting Legalization and Minimum Wage Increase

Missouri voters will have the final say on the legalization of sports betting and a significant minimum wage increase this November. The Missouri Secretary of State, Jay Ashcroft, announced on Tuesday that a referendum for retail and online sports betting will appear on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot, alongside other key initiatives, including a proposed hike in the state’s minimum wage.

Sports Betting Referendum Reaches Ballot

The push to legalize sports betting in Missouri has gained considerable momentum, thanks in large part to efforts from the state’s major professional sports teamsand leading online sports wagering platforms. The initiative, backed by a coalition known as Winning for Missouri Education, collected enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. This coalition, composed of six prominent Missouri sports teams—the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis City SC, Kansas City Current, Kansas City Royals, and Kansas City Chiefs—has been a driving force behind the campaign.

The coalition’s efforts were bolstered by substantial financial from FanDuel, the nation’s two largest online sports betting platforms. Together, they raised over $6 million to ensure the initiative’s success. In May, the coalition submitted more than 340,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s office, well above the threshold required to secure a spot on the ballot.

Bill DeWitt III, president of the St. Louis Cardinals, emphasized the significance of the vote. “Missouri is now just one step away from ing most other states in legalizing sports betting and being able to provide millions of dollars to Missouri classrooms,” DeWitt stated in a release from the Winning for Missouri Education campaign.

Framework for Sports Betting in Missouri

Should Missouri voters approve the sports betting amendment, it would authorize the Missouri Gaming Commission to regulate both retail and online sports wagering. The proposed legislation, House Bill 2835 (HB 2835), outlines the structure for this new industry. Under HB 2835, sports betting would be available to individuals aged 21 and over, with licensed operators required to pay a 10% tax on adjusted gross receipts. The initial licensing fee for operators would be $150,000, with annual renewal fees capped at $350,000.

The tax revenue generated from sports betting would be directed primarily toward education, a key selling point for the initiative’s backers. The anticipated annual revenue from sports wagering is estimated to reach $28.9 million, which would significantly benefit Missouri’s public schools and other educational programs.

In addition to sports betting, Missouri voters will also consider a constitutional amendment on reproductive health care and a statutory proposal to increase the state’s minimum wage.

Minimum Wage and Paid Leave Proposal

The minimum wage initiative, which will appear on the ballot as Proposition A, marks the third time in recent years that Missouri voters have been asked to approve a wage increase. Proposition A seeks to raise the minimum wage to $13.75 an hour by January 1, 2025, and to $15 an hour by January 1, 2026. Additionally, the measure includes a requirement for all employers to provide paid sick leave to their workers at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked.

ers of Proposition A argue that the proposed wage hike and paid leave provisions are necessary to improve the financial security and overall well-being of Missouri’s workers. Lora Gulley, director of community mobilization and advocacy at Generate Health in St. Louis, emphasized the importance of these measures. “Allowing workers to earn paid sick days and increasing the minimum wage is a huge step in the right direction,” she said in a statement following the initiative’s certification.

The proposal to increase the minimum wage follows the successful efforts of 2006 and 2018, which resulted in significant wage boosts for Missouri’s lowest-paid workers. The current minimum wage, set at $12.30 an hour, is already indexed for inflation, but Proposition A aims to provide further increases to help workers keep pace with rising living costs.

A Critical Vote for Missouri’s Future

With the inclusion of these key initiatives on the November ballot, Missouri voters will face decisions that could have a lasting impact on the state’s economy, education system, and workforce. The sports betting amendment, in particular, represents a major shift in Missouri’s approach to gambling, as it seeks to the growing number of states that have embraced regulated sports wagering since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that overturned the federal ban.

As the campaign heats up in the coming months, voters will need to weigh the potential benefits and challenges of these proposed changes. The outcomes of these votes will shape the future of sports betting and workers’ rights in Missouri for years to come.

Source:

“Sports Wagering, Minimum Wage Hike Headed for November Vote in Missouri.”, missouriindependent.com, August 14, 2024.