Absentee voting is underway in the Show-Me State, where voters will consider Missouri sports betting Amendment 2, a measure that allows online event wagers through a change to the state constitution.
A successful Nov. 5 vote allows the Missouri Gaming Commission to set a go-live date for legal online sports betting apps. The amendment stipulates a launch can be no later than Dec. 1, 2025.
But what kind of reception will sports betting get at the governor’s mansion in Jefferson City?
Members of the Missouri Press Association posed the question at a Sept. 25 gubernatorial debate in Springfield, MO.
Major Candidates Support Missouri Sports Betting Amendment 2
Minority Floor Leader and District 132 state Rep. Crystal Quade of Springfield is the Democratic Party nominee for governor. Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe earned the Republican Party’s nomination.
They were joined on the debate stage by Green Party candidate Paul Lehmann, an opponent of Amendment 2, and Libertarian candidate Bill Slantz, who supports the arrival of online betting apps.
Neither third-party candidate has traction in polls, where Kehoe has a decisive lead over Quade in red-leaning Missouri. Incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Parsons is term-limited, so he will not be on the General Election ballot.
Video of the Missouri Press Association debate for Parsons’ successor is posted on the C-SPAN website. In it, Quade and Kehoe both expressed support for Amendment 2.
Their full answers to “Do you support this amendment, why or why not?” come at the 17- to 19-minute mark of the video.
A transcript of their responses is below, with minimal edits for clarity.
Democrat Crystal Quade’s Full Answer
“I do support this initiative — this measure. This is one, again, that I wish the legislature had been able to actually get this done appropriately. I don’t love everything in (terms of) all of the wording in this.
But, we’ve seen for years that the status quo in Jefferson City is gridlock and fighting with each other instead of actually moving legislation through.
I think what’s important about this discussion is absolutely we need to be partnering it with conversations around addiction and funding for mental health services, which Missouri is drastically failing at.
But the reality is that we have currently, right now, people in the state of Missouri who are crossing the border in Kansas or (Illinois suburbs of) Saint Louis.
You drive over there, and you can actually see them pull over on the side of the road, placing their bets, and then coming home. That is revenue we are missing out on.
And, due to all of the corporate tax cuts that have been happening in the state of Missouri — and the tax cuts for the wealthiest in our state — we do have a shortage of funding in our state for things like education, mental health care and all of the things that we desperately want to support. So, I do support this measure and the money that will come in from that.”
Republican Mike Kehoe’s Full Answer
“All of our surrounding states already have sports gambling products that their citizens can take advantage of. We’re sitting in the center as an area that does not have it.
So, if you want to be competitive with your surrounding states, whether that’s economic-wise or — to the representative’s point: People are driving across the state line and placing those bets.
I think this is something that the time (has come) for Missouri.
I’m not a fan of gambling, and I don’t bet on games. But, I believe it’s a tool that we need for Missourians (for) additional recreation. I do think what the ballot measure provides funding for is appropriate.
I’ve been a big fan of making sure our public education gets funded, and we would make sure, should I be selected governor, that the legislature would never be able to move that to some other category. We’ll keep it to where it’s at.
Last but not least, we have some gems in our state, called major league sports teams that provide a lot of entertainment and a lot of economic benefit to our state. This would be something that would help us ensure those teams potentially stay in the state of Missouri.”
Do Voters Support the Missouri Sports Betting Amendment 2?
Recent surveys show that Missourians may align with the major party candidates for governor. Emerson College Polling/The Hill conducted a survey from Sept. 12 to 13 and found (+/- 3.3% margin of error):
- 52% of respondents plan to support the ballot measure.
- 25% plan to oppose legalized sports wagering for individuals over 21.
- About 23% are unsure.
The SLU/YouGov Poll from Aug. 8-16 (+/- 3.79% margin of error) revealed:
- 50% of respondents support Amendment 2.
- 30% said they do not plan to support the ballot issue.
- 21% are unsure.
Some land-based casino operators in Missouri have helped fund opposition campaigns to Missouri Sports Betting Amendment 2. Sources told Legal Sports Report they are upset the ballot language limits the state’s six casino operators to one online sports betting brand (called a skin) each. Their sports betting apps will compete with a pair of untethered online sportsbook licenses. Missouri’s six professional sports franchises could also partner with a sports betting company.
Missouri has 13 casinos, so the operators argue 13 partnerships, or skins, should be available. Campaign disclosure forms suggest Caesars and its casinos in Saint Louis, Booneville, and North Kansas City have donated more than $4.1 million to oppose Amendment 2.
DraftKings and FanDuel — possible recipients of the untethered licenses — have donated more than $11.5 million in support of Missouri sports betting Amendment 2.