Missouri Set to Vote on Legalized Sports Betting
Date: 2024-09-17 Author: Alex Crawford Categories: SPORTS BETTING
A recent poll conducted by Emerson College Polling, The Hill and Nexstar Media, found that a significant portion of likely voters in Missouri support legalized sports betting, which will be on the November ballot.
The poll was conducted Sept. 12-13 among 850 "very likely" voters across the state. The poll included 262 Democrats, 356 Republicans, and 232 independents or other parties.
Men and Young People Lead in Support
The poll results showed that men expressed greater approval of the bill than women. According to Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, 59% of men support legalizing sports betting for those 21 and older, compared to 46% of women.
Among age groups, voters aged 30 to 39 were the most enthusiastic, with 68.4% of them supporting the measure. However, support dropped to less than 50% among voters aged 60 and older.
What would the proposed amendment do?
The amendment would create a comprehensive regulatory framework for sports betting, including online betting, sports zones, gaming courts, and mobile operator licenses. The Missouri Gaming Commission would regulate these activities.
The cost of applying for a license and renewing it every five years would be $500,000. It would also impose a 10% tax on adjusted gross gaming revenue. At least $5 million a year from these taxes and fees would go toward gambling addiction programs.
The rest of the tax revenue would fund elementary, secondary, and higher education.
Wages would be available both online and at in-person locations for anyone 21 or older in the state.
Neighboring states like Illinois, Arkansas, and Kansas have already legalized sports betting, putting pressure on Missouri. If the bill fails, the state could miss out on an estimated $28.9 million in annual tax revenue that Missourians spend in neighboring states.
Other Big Issues on the Ballot
Legalizing sports betting isn’t the only big issue on the November ballot. Voters will also be deciding abortion access, a contentious issue in the state.
According to the same poll of likely voters, a majority supports the abortion amendment. Democrats expressed support at 90%, while independents voted 61%. Republicans were mostly against it, 50% to 32%. Among women, 60% supported the amendment, while among men, the figure was 54%.
Thus, the upcoming vote in Missouri promises to be tense and important for the future of the state.
