Missouri’s major league franchises may have put the wheels in motion for the state to finally legalize sports betting. More than 325,000 residents have now signed a petition to get the issue on the November ballot. That easily surpasses the number required, meaning the people of Missouri will have their say later this year.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft approved the motions, adding the requirement that they secure 180,000 votes. The motions came in January from Winning for Missouri Education, a coalition of major league franchises. This includes the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis City FC, Kansas City Current, Kansas City Chiefs, and St. Louis Blues.
not optimistic that this pattern will change during the upcoming legislative session.”
The reason for the push? Cardinals President Bill DeWitt believes all other avenues are futile. He stated that despite years of effort, getting lawmakers to approve sports betting has proven impossible. Not only that, DeWitt said the teams are “not optimistic that this pattern will change during the upcoming legislative session.”
Well, now the coalition can be satisfied it has the support from Missourians, perhaps because of where some of those sports betting funds will go. The 10% tax will go towards supporting public education. Jack Cardetti, spokesperson for the group, said the signatures have taken Missouri “a step closer” to allowing adults to bet on sports “while generating tens of millions in annual funding for our classrooms.”