A coalition of Missouri professional sports franchises, including the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals, have submitted over 340,000 petition signatures to the secretary of state’s office in an effort to legalize sports gambling in the state. The proposed measure would add sports wagering to the state Constitution and grant licenses to teams, casinos, and online betting websites. The tax generated from gambling would provide funding for Missouri education, with an estimated $30 million annually.
Representatives from the sports teams emphasized the economic benefits of legalizing sports betting and expressed the need to keep revenue from leaving Missouri. Despite opposition in the Missouri Senate, the coalition is hopeful that the issue will be brought to a public vote in the November election. The potential approval would require a majority vote from at least five of the state’s congressional districts.
The coalition believes that legalizing sports betting will not only provide financial support for education but also engage fans and create opportunities for corporate sponsorships. Major League Baseball regulations currently prohibit teams from establishing sportsbooks on their stadium properties, but alternate locations such as Ballpark Village are being considered.
With neighboring states already legalizing sports betting, Missouri sports teams are eager to keep revenue within the state and meet the demands of their fan base. If the secretary of state confirms the validity of the signatures, Missouri voters will have the opportunity to decide on the legalization of sports gambling in the upcoming election.
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Photo credit missouriindependent.com