In a significant move to sway Missouri voters towards legalizing sports betting, the campaign has received a substantial financial boost. DraftKings‘ parent company, DK Crown Holdings, has contributed $3.5 million to the political action committee (PAC) advocating for the ballot initiative, according to recent filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission. This latest contribution has propelled the PAC, named Winning for Missouri Education, past the $10 million mark in total fundraising efforts.
This influx of cash from one of the nation’s leading sports wagering companies came shortly after the Missouri Secretary of State confirmed that the campaign had gathered sufficient signatures to secure a spot on the upcoming November ballot. The initiative, if passed, would align Missouri with 38 other states that have already legalized sports betting, enhancing revenue streams for education and gambling addiction programs, according to the St. Louis Dispatch.
A Statewide Campaign to Educate and Inform
Jack Cardetti, a spokesperson for the campaign, emphasized the strategic use of the funds: “Now that we are officially on the ballot we’ll be over the next two and a half months talking to Missourians across the state about why it makes sense to set up a legal sports betting framework that helps public education,” he said. The campaign aims to reach voters across Missouri, explaining the benefits and framework of the proposed sports betting legalization.
The initiative has garnered widespread support, as evidenced by polling data from Emerson College and a collaborative poll by St. Louis University and YouGov, which show over 60% approval among Missouri residents. This support spans across political affiliations and both rural and urban areas, indicating a strong statewide endorsement for the measure.
Endorsement from Missouri’s Professional Sports Teams
Missouri’s professional sports landscape is also firmly behind the initiative, with endorsements from the state’s six major teams: the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis City SC, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current. Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III publicly supported the campaign, stating: “On behalf of all six of Missouri’s professional sports teams, I would like to thank everyone who signed a petition to get this on the ballot. A vote for Amendment 2 in November is the right thing to do for both Missouri public schools and our favorite sports teams.”
The proposed measure outlines a sports betting tax rate of 10%, allowing both Missouri’s professional sports teams and the state’s 13 casinos to operate retail and online sports betting platforms. The Missouri Gaming Commission would oversee the regulatory aspects of sports betting. Additionally, the designated home-dock city or county would receive 10% of the gaming tax revenue to fund local services.
Play games casino online games refers to participating in casino-style games through an online platform. In essence, it combines the excitement of traditional casino games, like slots, blackjack, poker, and roulette, with the convenience of playing them online.
When you play games casino online, you can enjoy:
-
Variety of Games: Many online casinos offer a huge range of games, from popular slots to live dealer games, replicating the casino experience at home or on mobile.
-
Accessibility: Online casinos allow you to play anytime and anywhere, making it easy to enjoy your favorite games without traveling to a physical location.
-
Bonuses and Promotions: Online casinos often offer promotions, welcome bonuses, and rewards, enhancing your experience and providing extra funds to play with.
-
Real Money or Free Play: Most platforms offer options to play for real money or for fun, giving players the flexibility to test games before committing financially.
Online casino games bring the thrills and potential rewards of a real casino experience to your screen, with the added security, convenience, and bonuses that online platforms provide.
