In an effort to legalize sports betting, Missouri’s professional sports teams came together on Thursday to submit over 340,000 voter signatures. With the support of mascots such as Fredbird, Sluggerrr and Louie, the campaign delivered boxes filled with signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office in Jefferson City.
Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft will now need to verify the voter signatures in order to finalize the proposal on the ballot. The campaign is seeking around 180,000 signatures to qualify. Currently, 38 states and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of sports betting, with 30 states and D.C. permitting online wagering. However, Missouri remains one of the twelve states where sports wagering remains illegal despite more than five years following the U.S. Supreme Court’s approval for states to implement it.
The coalition of teams supporting this initiative includes the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Current and St. Louis City soccer teams. If approved by voters, each of Missouri’s 13 casinos and six professional sports teams would be allowed to offer both onsite and mobile sports betting. Teams would have authority over onsite betting and advertising within 400 yards of their stadiums and arenas while two mobile sports betting operators would be licensed directly by the Missouri Gaming Commission. Additionally, revenues from licensing fees and taxes are required to fund problem gambling programs annually with remaining tax revenues allocated for education at all levels. Sports betting is expected to launch no later than December 1st, 2025 if approved by voters this November
