ST. LOUIS – A sports betting initiative in Missouri seems likely to appear on state ballots this fall after facing setbacks in the legislature for years.
Will Missouri voters support sports betting? Recent poll results suggest it could be a close decision.
A new poll conducted in Missouri by Emerson College Polling/The Hill shows that 38.3% of potential voters would be in favor of a measure for sports betting, while 35.4% would oppose it. Additionally, 26.3% of respondents are undecided about supporting a sports betting measure.
“There is a significant portion of the population in favor of sports betting. If it were to go on the ballot, they would vote to approve it today,” said Emerson College Senior Polling Director, Matt Taglia.
Before a sports betting initiative can make it onto November ballots, the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office must confirm that a campaign effort has met signature requirements through the state’s initiative petition process.
Winning For Missouri Education, a campaign representing Missouri’s six professional sports teams, claims to have collected and submitted over 300,000 signatures prior to the deadline for a November ballot initiative.
If certified and supported by voters, the initiative would permit each of Missouri’s 13 casinos and six professional sports teams to offer onsite and mobile sports betting. The Missouri Gaming Commission would oversee sports betting, with a designated city or county receiving 10% of the gaming tax for services provided.
Supporters of the campaign hope these changes will generate millions of dollars for Missouri public education annually. The initiative also allocates at least $5 million each year towards problem gambling programs, with remaining tax revenues going towards education at all levels.
Efforts to legalize sports wagering in Missouri through legislation have faced opposition over the years. Some lawmakers are concerned that sports betting could lead to compulsive gambling in the state, while casinos have opposed certain regulations.
Political party affiliations did not seem to influence support or opposition based on the poll results. Missouri is one of 12 states in the U.S. that has not yet legalized any form of sports betting, whether in person or online.
This poll was conducted by Emerson College Polling, The Hill, and Nexstar Missouri. You can review the methodology and data here.
