- The Missouri Board of State Canvassers certified the November general election results
- The sports betting amendment question was approved by 0.1% of the vote
- Missouri sports betting must launch in the state by Dec. 1, 2025, but will likely be available sooner
The Missouri election results are finally official and Amendment 2, which legalizes online and retail sports betting in the Show-Me state, passed by a narrow 0.1% margin.
The Missouri Board of State Canvassers, comprised of Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Judge Jon Beetem and Judge Daniel Green, today certified the results of the Nov. 5 general election.
The sports betting amendment was approved by just 2,961 votes after the certified results were released.
Sports Betting Likely Coming in 2025
The people have spoken, Secretary of State Ashcroft said in a release.
“With November’s results now official, we are pleased to have completed another election cycle. The success of this election is respective of the patronage of Missouri’s voters, election authorities and poll workers,” he said.
Voters approved the sports betting amendment by 1,478,652 yes votes (50.05%) to 1,475,691 no votes (49.95%). Missouri will become the 39th state in the country to legalize sports betting and the 31st to approval online sports betting as well.
The approval of the sports betting amendment will allow each professional Missouri sports franchise and land-based casino to be eligible for one retail sports betting license and one online sports betting license each. Each individual team and casino will also be able to partner with up to one online sports betting operator.
In total, the state can see 19 retail sports betting licenses and 21 online sports betting licenses under this framework.
Missouri must launch sports betting by Dec. 1, 2025, but according to Jan M. Zimmerman, chair of the Missouri Gaming Commission, it will likely happen much sooner than the deadline.
“Optimistically? Mid-to-late summer…It’s not utmost in our mind that we need to get this done by football, but it’s just that we really need to do our due diligence, check all our boxes, and get all the steps taken care of. If that happens before football season, so much for the better,” she previously told Sports Betting Dime.
It’s too early to tell exactly how sports betting will roll out in the Show-Me State. Zimmerman said regulators will have to decide the best way to move forward as the process unfurls. It’s unknown at this moment if retail sports betting or online sports betting will launch at the same time, she said, or if state gaming regulators will institute a staggered launch.
It typically takes a state about eight months from sports betting approval to launch. A late-summer launch would keep Missouri on that same timeline.
Is a Recount Possible?
Automatic recounts are not part of Missouri election law, but one is still possible. The amendment’s 0.1% margin of victory does qualify it for a recount, but an individual will have to make the request within seven days of the certification.
However, while any group or individual can call for a recount of an election result, they must fund the efforts out of their own pocket.
The Missourian Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, an opposition campaign against legalized Missouri sports betting, told Sports Betting Dime today it has no plans to request a recount.
“Thank you to the thousands of Missourians who voted no on Amendment 2. We are grateful for the many, many organizations and voters who supported our coalition, and we extend our congratulations to Winning for Missouri Education. We look forward to finding ways to work together to benefit all Missourians,” a spokesperson for the group wrote.
In a historic move, Missouri voters have approved the legalization of sports betting in the state, with the measure set to take effect in 2025. The decision comes after years of debate and discussion on the topic, with proponents arguing that legalizing sports betting would bring in much-needed revenue for the state and help regulate an industry that is currently operating in the shadows.
The approval of sports betting in Missouri is a significant development for the state, as it will now join a growing number of states that have legalized the practice in recent years. With the passage of this measure, Missouri will be able to tap into a lucrative industry that has the potential to generate millions of dollars in revenue each year.
One of the key arguments in favor of legalizing sports betting is that it will help curb illegal gambling activities that are currently taking place in the state. By bringing sports betting out of the shadows and into a regulated market, proponents believe that it will be easier to monitor and enforce laws related to gambling, ultimately leading to a safer and more transparent industry.
In addition to the potential economic benefits, supporters of sports betting in Missouri also point to the social benefits of legalizing the practice. By providing a legal and regulated outlet for sports betting, proponents argue that it will help protect consumers from fraud and exploitation, while also promoting responsible gambling practices.
However, not everyone is on board with the decision to legalize sports betting in Missouri. Critics of the measure argue that it could lead to an increase in problem gambling and addiction, particularly among vulnerable populations. They also raise concerns about the potential for corruption and match-fixing in sports, as well as the impact on amateur and collegiate athletes.
Despite these concerns, the majority of Missouri voters have spoken, and sports betting will soon become a reality in the state. As we look ahead to 2025, it will be interesting to see how the industry develops and how it will impact both the state’s economy and its residents. Only time will tell if this decision proves to be a winning bet for Missouri.
