Underwhelming Polling Support for Missouri Legal Sports Betting Puts Platform in Jeopardy

Supporters of a legal sports betting platform in Missouri were disappointed by the results of a recent poll conducted by Emerson College and The Hill, which revealed lackluster support for the initiative in the Show-Me State. It appears that residents may have to wait longer before gaining access to top sports betting sites.

Recent polling of 1,000 Missouri residents from June 17 to 19 revealed that public opinion on legalizing sports betting in the state may not be as supportive as previously believed. While a majority of citizens indicated some level of support for a legal betting platform, the percentage of supporters fell below the 50% threshold needed for the plan to pass. This polling data could indicate the potential outcome of a vote on the November election ballot.

According to polling from Emerson College, most Missourians either do not support or are not interested in a proposal to legalize retail and online sports betting in the state.

Gearing up for a possible ballot initiative

The group Winning for Missouri Education is leading the effort to include the legalization of sports betting on the November election ballot. The group, which includes supporters of sports betting and the state’s sports teams such as the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, MLB’s Kansas City Royals, and St. Louis Cardinals, the NHL’s St. Louis Blues, and MLS’s Kansas City Current and St. Louis City SC, has collected 340,000 signatures in support of the initiative.

The group required approximately 180,000 verified signatures for the question to be eligible for consideration as an election issue.

In May, the group expressed confidence that the question would be a mere formality, as polls conducted earlier in the year showed strong support for legal sports betting on their side.

In a press release in May, Winning for Missouri Education praised the potential of legalizing sports gaming in the state. The statement highlighted that currently, Missourians are estimated to place hundreds of millions in bets each year through illegal offshore gaming websites or by traveling to neighboring states. Legalizing sports gaming in Missouri would not only put a stop to much of this activity, but also generate tens of millions of dollars annually for Missouri classrooms, where teachers are among the lowest paid in the nation.

Optimism turns to nervousness

When Winning for Missouri Education began its petition drive to support a legal sports betting platform in Missouri, there was reason to be optimistic. A poll conducted by Emerson College in January indicated that 62% of voters in the Show-Me State would support legal retail and mobile sports betting, while only 38% were against the idea.

During February, Saint Louis University conducted a public opinion poll revealing that 60% of respondents supported sports betting, 25% were against it, and 14% were unsure.

In the latest poll conducted by Emerson College and The Hill, 38% of respondents expressed support for a legal sports betting platform in the state, while 35% were against it and 26% were unsure how they would vote on the question in November.

Next steps

Jay Ashcroft, the State Secretary, is currently in the process of confirming the signatures on the Winning for Missouri Education petition. Out of the 340,000 signatures that were submitted, only 180,000 are required to advance the question and have it included on the November election ballot.

The verification process is anticipated to be finished by July.

Matt Taglia, the senior director of the polling outfit, believes that the proponent group will need to work on their messaging in order to successfully pass sports betting in Missouri. He suggests that many people are supportive of the idea in principle, but may not fully understand what it entails.

On the line

Missouri and Oklahoma stand out as the only states in their region lacking a legal sports betting platform, missing out on potential tax revenue. Surrounding states like Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Tennessee all currently allow legal sports betting.

Currently, all professional sports venues in Missouri are eligible to host a retail sports wagering platform and apply for a mobile sports betting license. Additionally, all existing retail casinos in the state, including the 13 riverboat casinos, would be eligible to offer a sportsbook and apply for a mobile license.

Per the regulations set by the Missouri Gaming Commission, two additional licensed establishments, which are not affiliated with a sports venue or riverboat casino, would also be available for acquisition.

The proposed 10% tax rate would primarily support K-12 education programs in the state, with an additional $5 million in tax revenue allocated to problem gambling programs.