To convince Missouri voters to legalize sports betting, DK Crown Holdings, the parent company of Boston-based DraftKingshas donated $3.5 million to support the People’s initiative for regulated bettingThe financial support was recently disclosed in a filing with the Missouri Ethics Commission and is part of an ongoing campaign to create a legal framework for such activities in the state.
This donation to the political action committee (PAC) Winning for Missouri Education brought the campaign’s fundraising total to over $10 million. The timing of the donation is notable because it came just three days after the Secretary of State of Missouri confirmed that the initiative had sufficient valid Signatures to secure a place on the November ballot.
If the initiative passes, Missouri would join 38 other states that have already legalized sports betting, including seven of Missouri’s eight neighboring states.The proposal provides that the revenue from sports betting should be used for public education and programs to combat gambling addiction.
Jack Cardetti, a spokesman for the campaign, stressed the importance of the upcoming effort to inform voters. “Now that we are officially on the ballot, We will be talking to Missourians across the state over the next two and a half months about why it makes sense to create a legal framework for sports betting that supports public education.”, explained Cardetti.
Public opinion seems to support the initiative: Poll data from Emerson College in February and a follow-up poll from St. Louis University and YouGov in March show that over 60% of Missouri residents support legalizing sports betting. This support appears to span all political parties and includes both urban and rural areas of the state.
The initiative is supported by all six professional sports teams in Missouri.including the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis City SC, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Current. In addition to Draftkings, the initiative is also supported by FanDuel, another sports betting giant.
Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III stated: “On behalf of all six Missouri professional sports teams, I want to thank everyone who signed a petition to get this on the ballot. A vote for Amendment 2 in November is the right thing for both Missouri public schools and our favorite sports teams.”
If voters agree, The measure would impose a 10% tax on sports betting activities and allow Missouri’s professional sports franchises and the state’s 13 casinos to offer both retail and online sports betting.The Missouri Gaming Commission would be tasked with regulating the industry, while 10% of the gaming tax would be allocated to host cities or counties for the services provided.
