Jul 20, 2024; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports
- A committee has been launched against the Missouri sports betting initiative
- Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment filed as an official committee with the Missouri Ethics Commission earlier this week
- The committee believes the amendment would create loopholes to allow sports betting operators to pay zero tax revenue to the state
Opposition to Missouri’s sports betting initiative is starting to mount in the Show-Me State.
Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment filed as a committee with the Missouri Ethics Commission on Sept. 10, officially opposing the sports betting initiative that will appear on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
It’s the first official opposition campaign to the initiative after Judge Daniel Green ruled against a lawsuit that tried to strip a constitutional amendment question to legalize Missouri sports betting on from general election ballot.
Sports Betting Benefits Corporations
According to a press release from the campaign, the amendment will only benefit the out-of-state corporations that created the initiative.
“Amendment 2 is a bad deal for Missouri. This deceptive measure was written by and for the financial benefit of its out-of-state corporate sponsors and funders,” said Brooke Foster, a spokesperson for Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, in a statement.
Foster notes that licensed sports betting operators will be able to deduct promotional credits and free play, which could led to them paying “zero gaming taxes for sports wagering.”
There are currently several states in the country that allow operators to deduct promotional credits from their overall gross gaming revenues. The currently ballot question in Missouri would set the sports betting tax rate at 10%.
The committee cited a Wichita Beacon article that noted Kansas sports bettors wagered more than $194 million in last year’s Super Bowl, but Kansas only received a little over $1,134 in sports betting tax revenue.
“We are building a broad coalition and are prepared to wage a vigorous campaign to educate voters across the State and ensure the measure is defeated,” Foster said.
Lawsuit Did Not Stop Sports Betting Initiative
The committee’s creation came just four days after a lawsuit attempting to strip the ballot of the sports betting initiative question was defeated.
The lawsuit, which was filed on Aug. 21 by plaintiffs Jacqueline Wood and Blake Lawrence, claimed the Winning for Missouri Education campaign came up short for valid signatures in Missouri’s first and fifth Congressional districts and Ashcroft’s determination of sufficiency was incorrect.
The plaintiffs alleged that Secretary of State John “Jay” Ashcroft improperly calculated the number of signatures because he failed “to take the total number of people who voted for governor in 2020, multiply that number by eight percent, and then divide that number equally among Missouri’s eight Congressional Districts.”
A judge determined that the plaintiffs did not provide sufficient evidence to show Ashcroft incorrectly calculated the necessary valid signatures and ruled in favor of the defendants.
Rob covers all regulatory developments in online gambling. He specializes in US sports betting news along with casino regulation news as one of the most trusted sources in the country.
A new committee has been formed in Missouri to oppose the state’s upcoming sports betting initiative. The committee, known as the “Missourians Against Sports Betting” group, is comprised of a coalition of individuals and organizations who are concerned about the potential negative impacts of legalizing sports betting in the state.
The initiative, which will appear on the November ballot, would allow for the legalization of sports betting at casinos and online platforms in Missouri. Proponents of the measure argue that it would generate much-needed revenue for the state and provide a safe and regulated environment for sports betting enthusiasts.
However, opponents of the initiative have raised several concerns about the potential consequences of legalizing sports betting. They argue that it could lead to an increase in problem gambling and addiction, particularly among vulnerable populations such as young people and low-income individuals. They also point to studies that have shown a correlation between the legalization of sports betting and an increase in crime rates.
The “Missourians Against Sports Betting” committee is working to educate voters about these potential risks and to advocate for alternative solutions to generate revenue for the state. They are urging voters to carefully consider the implications of legalizing sports betting before casting their ballots in November.
In addition to raising awareness about the potential negative impacts of sports betting, the committee is also working to mobilize opposition to the initiative through grassroots organizing and outreach efforts. They are encouraging concerned citizens to get involved in their campaign and to help spread the word about the risks associated with legalizing sports betting in Missouri.
As the debate over the sports betting initiative continues to unfold in Missouri, it is clear that there are strong opinions on both sides of the issue. The formation of the “Missourians Against Sports Betting” committee highlights the importance of informed and thoughtful discussion about the potential consequences of legalizing sports betting, and underscores the need for voters to carefully consider all aspects of the issue before making their decision at the ballot box.
