Missouri is on track to legalize sports betting following the passage of Amendment 2, with unofficial returns indicating a narrow victory. The Board of State Canvassers is expected to certify the results by December 10. However, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) will need at least six months to establish rules and guidelines before betting can commence in the state.
The Winning for Missouri Education coalition, which advocated for the amendment, expressed gratitude for the voter support, highlighting the potential benefits for education funding and local communities. The MGC plans to issue rules for licensing applications in January, with the possibility of issuing temporary licenses as early as June.
The amendment allows both online and in-person sports wagering, with licenses available for existing casinos and major sports teams in Missouri. However, there was confusion surrounding the number of licenses available, particularly for gambling giant Caesars Entertainment. The company, which initially opposed the amendment, eventually cancelled its anti-amendment campaign and may have misinterpreted the language regarding licenses.
Overall, the passage of Amendment 2 sets the stage for a regulated sports betting market in Missouri, with the MGC working to establish guidelines for operators in the coming months. Residents can look forward to accessing a variety of sports betting sites in the near future, pending the final certification of election results.
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