- The Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment cancelled $1.2 million in ads
- Caesars Entertainment-owned casinos have donated more than $14.2 million to the anti-sports betting campaign
- The Missouri Independent reported the news last week
The main opposition campaign to the Missouri sports betting amendment has cancelled nearly more than a million dollars in purchased advertisements in the state.
According to the Missouri Independent, the Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment campaign cancelled $1.2 million in television ads last week. The ads, according to the Missouri Independent, had been purchased several weeks ago.
Missouri voters will take to the polls on Nov. 5 to determine the fate of Amendment 2, which seeks to legalize retail and online sports betting in the Show-Me State.
Focusing on Grassroots Efforts
Missouri is a key sports betting battleground state in 2024. The Amendment question is likely the best chance the Show-Me State has to legalize sports betting, as all other legislative efforts have been stymied by the Senate over the past several years.
Brooke Foster, a spokeswoman for the campaign, told the Missouri Independent in an email that the ads are being pulled so the campaign can focus on “grassroots outreach and community conversations” for the remaining two-and-half weeks prior to the election.
Foster also said that the race has tightened in the state.
Polling in September showed voters supported legalized sports betting by a wide margin, however. According to an Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey of 850 Missouri voters, the majority of respondents reported they will be voting in favor of Amendment 2. The poll of 850 expected voters showed that 52% support the legalization of sports betting in the state, with just 25% opposed
If voters approve the constitutional amendment at the polls next month, each Missouri sports team and casino would be eligible to operate retail and online sports betting. Each team and land-based casino would be eligible for one retail sports betting license and one online sports betting license each. Each individual team and casino would be able to partner with up to one online sports betting operator.
In total, the state could see 19 retail sports betting licenses and 21 online sports betting licenses under this framework.
Money Coming in For Sports Betting Supporters
Money continues to pour in for the Winning for Missouri Education campaign, which has been heavily backed by sports betting giants FanDuel and DraftKings. According to the Missouri Ethics Commission, FanDuel donated an additional $4.6 million to the pro-sports betting campaign last week.
DraftKings and FanDuel have now donated more than $36.6 million to the campaign.
Caesars Entertainment has also been steadily providing a stream of money to the Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment campaign through its Missouri land-based casinos.
To date, Caesars has provided $14,167.542.88 to the campaign through the following donations:
- Caesars Enterprise Services: $167,542.88
- Tropicana St. Louis: $4,600,000
- Harrah’s North Kansas: $4,700,000
- Isle of Capri Boonville: $4,700,000
Opponents of Missouri sports betting have recently made the decision to cancel advertisements that were set to run in the state. This move comes as a surprise to many, as the opposition has been vocal in their efforts to prevent the legalization of sports betting in Missouri.
The decision to cancel the advertisements is seen as a strategic move by opponents of sports betting, who are looking to regroup and reassess their messaging in light of recent developments. The cancellation of the ads is also seen as a sign that the opposition is feeling the pressure from pro-sports betting groups, who have been gaining momentum in their efforts to legalize sports betting in the state.
One of the main reasons cited for the cancellation of the advertisements is the growing support for sports betting among Missouri residents. Recent polls have shown that a majority of residents in the state are in favor of legalizing sports betting, with many citing the potential economic benefits as a key factor in their support.
In addition to public support, proponents of sports betting have also been successful in garnering support from key lawmakers in the state. Several bills have been introduced in the Missouri legislature that would legalize sports betting, and proponents are optimistic that one of these bills will pass in the near future.
Despite the cancellation of the advertisements, opponents of sports betting remain steadfast in their opposition to legalization. They argue that legalizing sports betting will lead to an increase in problem gambling and other negative social consequences. They also point to the potential for corruption and match-fixing in sports as reasons to keep sports betting illegal.
As the debate over sports betting continues in Missouri, both sides are gearing up for a fierce battle. Proponents of sports betting are confident that they have the support they need to push through legislation, while opponents are doubling down on their efforts to prevent legalization. Only time will tell which side will emerge victorious in this high-stakes showdown.
