- DraftKings, FanDuel donate millions more to Missouri sports betting campaign
- The sports betting companies have donated an additional $10 million
- The legalization campaign has received more than $21 million from the companies
DraftKings and FanDuel are doing everything they can to support a campaign that hopes to encourage Missouri voters to legalize sports betting during the Nov. 5 general election.
The sports betting companies donated an additional $5 million each last week to the Winning for Missouri Education campaign, bringing up total donations to the committee to more than $21.5 million to bolster support for sports betting in the Show-Me State.
Neither DraftKings or FanDuel are affiliated with any land-based casino in the state, but if voters approve a constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting the companies would likely be in line for two untethered online sports betting licenses.
Millions for Campaign
According to the Missouri Ethics Commission, DraftKings donated an additional $5 million to the Winning for Missouri Education campaign on Sept. 18 and FanDuel donated $5 million to the campaign on Sept. 20. In total, the two companies have donated $21.55 million for the legalization of sports betting in the state.
Voters will decide the fate of Missouri sports betting during the Nov. 5 general election. A constitutional amendment question will appear on the ballot to potentially legalize retail and online sports betting. Under the proposed ballot initiative, the state’s casinos would receive a single online sports betting license and two untethered licenses will be available for sports betting companies to operate in Missouri.
Each Missouri sports team and casino would be eligible to operate retail and online sports betting. Each team and casino would be eligible for one retail sports betting license through the bill. Additionally, each sports team and casino would be eligible for one online sports betting license. Each team and casino would be able to partner with one online sports betting operator.
Caesars Funding Opposition Campaign
Caesars recently donated more than $4 million to a campaign actively fighting the sports betting ballot initiative.
Through its three Missouri based casinos, Caesars donated $4,156,202.79 to Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, a campaign officially opposing the sports betting initiative that will appear on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
According to filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission, Caesars made four separate donations to Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment. The campaign officially filed with the commission on Sept. 10 to oppose the sports betting initiative question.
Caesars made the following contributions through its corporate entity and three separately owned land-based Missouri casinos:
- Caesars Enterprise Services: $156,202.79
- Tropicana St. Louis: $1,300,000
- Harrah’s North Kansas: $1,400,000
- Isle of Capri Boonville: $1,300,000
DraftKings and FanDuel, two of the biggest names in the daily fantasy sports industry, have recently announced their plans to contribute millions of dollars to support a campaign to legalize sports betting in Missouri. The companies have pledged to donate a combined total of $750,000 to the campaign, which is aimed at gathering enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot for the November 2022 election.
This move comes as no surprise, as both DraftKings and FanDuel have been vocal advocates for legalizing sports betting in states across the country. The companies see it as a way to expand their business and reach new customers, while also generating additional revenue for the states in which they operate.
In Missouri, sports betting has been a hot topic for several years now, with lawmakers and stakeholders on both sides of the issue debating the potential benefits and drawbacks of legalization. Proponents argue that legalizing sports betting would bring in much-needed tax revenue for the state, create jobs, and boost tourism. Opponents, on the other hand, raise concerns about the potential for increased problem gambling and social issues.
With DraftKings and FanDuel throwing their support behind the campaign, it is likely to gain significant momentum in the coming months. The companies have a track record of successfully lobbying for sports betting legislation in other states, and their financial contributions will undoubtedly help to fund a robust advertising and outreach campaign in Missouri.
It remains to be seen whether Missouri voters will ultimately decide to legalize sports betting in the state. But with the backing of industry giants like DraftKings and FanDuel, supporters of the campaign are feeling optimistic about their chances of success. Only time will tell if Missouri will join the growing list of states that have embraced sports betting as a legitimate form of entertainment and revenue generation.
