Missouri voters approve sports betting measure by narrow margin

Missouri residents will soon have access to legalized sports betting following the narrow passage of a ballot measure that secured 50.05% approval in the November election. Despite facing stiff opposition, the measure succeeded thanks to record-breaking campaign funding and support from the state’s major professional sports teams.  

State election officials certified the results on Thursday, marking a key step for the launch of sports betting in Missouri. However, bettors will need to wait as regulators work to finalize the framework for implementation. The Missouri Gaming Commission aims to have sports betting operational by late spring or early summer, well ahead of the constitutional amendment's December 1, 2025, deadline.  

The campaign in favor of the measure raised $43 million, setting a new record for ballot measure funding in Missouri. DraftKings and FanDuel, the dominant players in the US sports betting industry, provided the lion's share of the funding. An additional $2 million came from Missouri's six major professional sports teams: the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current and St. Louis City soccer teams.

“Joining the 38 other states that already allow sports betting will allow us to further engage with our fans while keeping tens of millions in Missouri for the benefit of our classrooms and communities,” said St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III.  

The opposition campaign, primarily funded by Caesars Entertainment, raised $14 million but failed to sway voters. Caesars operates three of Missouri’s 13 casinos.  

While the constitutional amendment takes immediate effect, significant regulatory groundwork remains. State regulators must draft rules, process license applications, and establish oversight mechanisms.

The measure permits each of Missouri’s casinos and professional sports teams to offer both on-site and mobile sports betting. Professional teams will have exclusive control over betting and advertising within a 400-yard radius of their stadiums and arenas.  

Additionally, two mobile operators will be directly licensed by the Missouri Gaming Commission. A 10% tax on sports betting revenue, lower than the national average of 19%, will fund state programs, with at least $5 million annually earmarked for problem gambling initiatives. The remaining revenue will be allocated to education.  

Missouri law allows recounts for ballot measures decided by less than 0.5% of votes cast, provided a request is submitted within seven days of certification. A spokesperson for Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft confirmed that any recount request must come from those directly involved in the campaigns. However, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, the opposition group, has stated it does not plan to pursue a recount.  

Missouri joins 38 states and Washington, D.C., in legalizing sports betting, an industry that has expanded rapidly since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal ban in 2018. However, some high-potential markets, such as California and Texas, remain holdouts. In California, efforts to legalize sports betting were defeated in 2022 following a $450 million campaign battle between competing interest groups.