Check yes or no: Missouri residents to vote on legalized sports betting
Six districts gained enough signatures to bring sports wagering to the ballot.
Missouri voters will have the chance to pull the lever for legalized sports betting during November’s election, according to a local news report from the Missouri Independent.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office confirmed that Amendment 2, which could bring sports betting to the state, will be on the ballot, due to reaching the required number of signature in six congressional districts.
St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III took a moment to celebrate Amendment 2 moving forward.
He said in a statement issued by the Winning for Missouri Education campaign, “Missouri is now just one step away from joining most other states in legalizing sports betting and being able to provide millions of dollars to Missouri classrooms.
“On behalf of all six of Missouri’s professional sports teams, I would like to thank everyone who signed a petition to get this on the ballot.”
In addition to the sports betting amendment, another ballot campaign sought to collect support to allow a new casino near Lake of the Ozarks.
However, the Secretary of State noted that the new casino proposal failed to gain enough signatures to make the ballot this fall.
Osage River Gaming and Convention, the group responsible for the casino initiative, said in a statement to the Missouri Independent that “they are considering their next move.”
Group spokesman Ed Rhode commented, We are confident that after all the signatures are counted and verified we will appear on the November 2024 ballot.”
Four petitions were originally in circulation to bring the new casino to the area. However, at least 170,000 signatures are required on only one of them to make the ballot.
The current law on the books allows the Missouri Gaming Commission to distribute gaming 13 licenses. However, these can only go to gaming facilities that are located on the Missouri River and Mississippi River.
If voters approve allowing for a 14th license, the proposed $10m casino project would be located below Bagnell Dam along the Osage River. Tax revenue from wagers would be used for “education-related spending, ranging from early childhood literacy programs to teacher salaries,” the local report said.
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