Missourians Against Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment has received a substantial contribution from Caesars Entertainment, who operates a number of casinos in the state. Caesars is opposed to sports betting in Missouri because of the language in Amendment 2, which limits Caesars and PENN Entertainment to a single mobile betting skin.

A campaign opposed to a sports betting appraisal in Missouri has drawn significant financial support from Caesars Entertainment properties, with over $4.1 million raised to defeat the proposal. The sports betting measure, known as Amendment 2, will appear on the ballot for the upcoming November 5 election.

Major contributions to anti-sports betting campaign

According to a filing with the Missouri Ethics Commission on September 13, the St. Louis-based committee, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, has received substantial contributions from Caesars properties. The committee is dedicated to opposing the legalization of sports betting in Missouri. The notable contributions are as follows:

Harrah's in North Kansas City - $1.4 million

Isle of Capri in Boonville - $1.3 million

Tropicana in St. Louis - $1.3 million

Caesars Enterprise Services - $156,202.79

Caesars Entertainment, based in Nevada, operates hotels and casinos throughout the country, including several in Missouri. Their involvement in the campaign signals a strategic effort to block the proposed sports betting legislation.

Divided interests: Caesars opposes, sports teams support

The upcoming vote has created stark divisions within the gaming and sports industries. While Caesars Entertainment is opposing the measure, other stakeholders, such as major sports betting operators and Missouri's professional sports teams, are in favor of the initiative.

Online betting companies like FanDuel and DraftKings have provided financial support to the pro-sports betting campaign, Winning For Missouri Education, which advocates for the passage of the amendment. This group recently aired television ads urging voters to approve the measure in November.

Gaming analyst Steve Ruddock explains that Caesars and other casino operators oppose the measure due to its specific licensing structure. "The language of the initiative has a unique structure, with licenses limited to each casino's parent company, Missouri's six professional sports teams, and two online-only licenses," Ruddock noted. He stated that the proposal limits companies like Caesars and PENN Entertainment to a single mobile betting skin, despite both companies operating multiple casinos in the state.

This limitation has fueled opposition from Caesars, which would prefer greater flexibility in offering mobile betting services across its multiple properties.

Sports teams rally behind Amendment 2

In contrast to Caesars' stance, several of Missouri's professional sports teams have thrown their weight behind the measure. If passed, Amendment 2 would allow the state's six pro sports teams and 13 casinos to offer both onsite and mobile sports betting to individuals 21 years and older. Additionally, the Missouri Gaming Commission would have the authority to license two extra mobile sports betting operators.

The St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and two soccer teams - the St. Louis City and Kansas City Current - are among the sports teams that support the amendment. These teams are eager to tap into the growing sports betting market and provide fans with an opportunity to engage in legal betting within the state borders.

Legal challenges and voter sentiment

In recent legal proceedings, a county circuit judge rejected an attempt to block the measure from appearing on the November ballot. This ruling clears the path for Missouri voters to decide on the future of sports betting in the state.

Proponents of the measure, including Gary Jenkins, an attorney from Kansas City, believe that voter approval is likely. Jenkins noted in an interview on Gambling.com that many Missouri residents are already traveling to neighboring states to place sports wagers, causing Missouri to lose out on potential tax revenue.

Notably, sports betting is already legal in 38 states, including Washington, DC, with every state surrounding Missouri (except Oklahoma), allowing some form of legal wagering. Supporters of Amendment 2 argue that legalizing sports betting in Missouri would keep tax revenue within the state and generate new funds for education and other public services.

The battle wages on

As the November election approaches, both sides of the debate are ramping up efforts to sway public opinion. With over $4.1 million already raised by Caesars to defeat the measure and sports teams and betting operators campaigning for its approval, the battle over sports betting in Missouri is intensifying.

Voters will ultimately have the final say on whether Missouri joins the growing list of states to legalize sports betting. The outcome of this vote could have significant financial implications for casinos, sports teams, and the state's economy as a whole.