Missouri is all set to vote for the legalization of sports betting in the state this November, says the Secretary of State. It follows the coalition in May that submitted over 340K signatures - and this number is expected to double for the November schedule. Pro-sports teams have also expressed their support.

Missouri voters are set to make a significant decision this November as they head to the polls to determine the future of sports betting in the state. The Missouri Secretary of State, Jay Ashcroft, confirmed on Tuesday that the issue will be placed on the November 5 ballot, giving voters the opportunity to legalize sports betting statewide.

The decision comes after Ashcroft presented a 'certificate of sufficiency,' a critical step that signifies the proposal has met the necessary requirements to be presented to voters. For a measure to receive this certificate, there have to be valid signatures from a minimum number of voters from six of the state's eight districts. According to a news release from the Secretary of State’s office, this threshold has been met, allowing the sports-betting issue to move forward to the ballot.

A rigorous process

The process leading to this milestone was thorough, to say the least. This week, the Secretary of State's office completed the final steps of verifying and analyzing the voter signatures to place the issue on the November ballot. Prior to this, the signatures went through a stringent verification process by local authorities across the state, ensuring that only valid signatures were counted.

JoDonn Chaney, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State's office, emphasized the importance of this verification process. The journey to place this issue on the ballot began earlier this year when a coalition supporting the legalization of sports betting submitted over 340,000 signatures to Ashcroft's office on May 2. This number is nearly double the amount required to secure a spot on the November ballot, demonstrating strong support for the measure. The deadline for submitting signatures was on May 5.

Broad support from professional sports teams

If the voters are in favor of the constitutional amendment in November, the 13 casinos and six sports teams in Missouri would be permitted to offer both mobile and onsite sports betting. However, the measure would strictly prohibit anyone under 21 from participating in wagering activities.

The sports teams supporting the measure include major franchises such as the St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and two professional soccer teams, St. Louis City and the Kansas City Current. The involvement of these high-profile teams signals a strong push towards legalizing sports betting, with proponents arguing that it would generate significant revenue and enhance fan engagement.

Missouri's position in the regional sports betting landscape

At the moment, Missouri is one of the few states in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) where sports betting remains illegal. Out of the 12 states with athletic teams from universities competing in the SEC, six, including the state of Missouri, have yet to legalize sports betting. The Missouri Tigers, the state's flagship university, compete in the SEC, adding another layer of interest to the upcoming vote.

Missouri is also surrounded by states where sports betting is already legal, with the exception of Oklahoma. Sports betting is now also legal in 38 states and Washington, DC, leaving Missouri in a shrinking minority of states yet to embrace the trend.

Anticipation grows ahead of November vote

As the November 5 vote approaches, anticipation is growing among both supporters and opponents of the measure. On a recent episode of The Edge, a Gambling.com program, retired Kansas City PD detective and attorney, Gary Jenkins, expressed his belief that voters are likely to approve the question on sports betting. Jenkins pointed to the fact that many Missourians are already placing bets in neighboring states where sports betting is legal, leading to a loss of tax revenue for Missouri.

With strong backing from professional sports teams, widespread public interest, and the potential for significant economic impact, the outcome of the November vote could mark a turning point in Missouri's approach to sports betting.