Missouri Scout is a privately owned news service that covers state politics. Earlier this month, they released a survey showing voters are not in favor of legal sports betting. This poll also showed that voters oppose legalized abortion. It reinforces Missouri’s conservative status.
The Missouri sports betting proposal, backed by professional teams in the state, would be defeated if the election was held today. It received the lowest amount of support out of all four possible initiative questions.
In general, 60% say that they oppose legalization, while 36% support it, and only 4% remain undecided. On behalf of Missouri Scout Remington Research Group surveyed 684 potential voters for two days, between 8-9th May.
A proposal is being considered that allows for digital betting statewide, but requires platforms to be tied to existing professional sports venues and casinos. This proposal differs from previous bills which failed to pass in the legislature. It is unlikely that the casinos in the state will fully support the proposal.
The legalisation of cannabis has eluded us
Missouri’s General Assembly has tried to legalise sport betting for over five years. Sen. Denny Hoskins has stymied the efforts, as he has wanted wagering legalisation and VLTs (video lottery terminals) to be tied together for years. The state casinos have said that the VLTs pose a serious threat to their business. These machines are very similar to slot machines.
Casinos want to see the state ban these machines that are operating currently in a gray area. These machines are found in restaurants or convenience stores and they’re neither prohibited nor explicitly permitted by the state. They are therefore unregulated.
Hoskins, as he has advanced his agenda has rallied in opposition to several bills that were backed by professional sports teams and casinos. Hoskins filed a filibuster during two sessions in order to stop house bills supported by the casinos and professional teams from being voted on at the Senate floor.
Which side would DK and FD take?
The pro teams took matters into their own hands, while the casino consortium waited for Hoskins to finish his term limits later this year. The teams, under the title “Winning for Missouri Education”, filed several initiative proposals. They are now moving ahead with the one which would allow for brick-and mortar sportsbooks and digital platforms. The proponents sent 340,000 signed petitions to the state earlier this month for verification.
Casino companies, however, would only get one skin regardless of how many sites they own. The legislative proposals allocated up to three skins for casino companies.
Each of Caesars Entertainment’s and Penn Entertainment’s Missouri properties has three casinos. Affinity Gaming operates two, as do Boyd Gaming and Century Casinos.
DraftKings, and FanDuel are two of the biggest wagering companies. They don’t seem to have any clear allegiance. Both companies have a Missouri brick-and mortar property, but do not lobby or maintain relationships with casino firms. FanDuel, for example has an agreement that allows it to operate retail and digital sportbooks for Boyd Gaming.
Missourians are also against abortion
Politics may end up not being important. The polled potential voters did not support any of the Missouri sports gambling initiative proposals.
Missouri voters are opposed to legalising abortion. On this question, however, Democrats and progressives who identify themselves as such are overwhelmingly in favor of the idea. The poll shows that 71% of Democrats are in favor of the idea, while 73% of Republicans disagree.
Missourians support raising the minimum wage, and providing paid time off for employees to take care of family members. Also, they support making amending the constitution of Missouri more difficult.
