Mo sports teams unite for legalized sports betting, pushing for change in Missouri
Missouri’s sports teams have banded together to push for legalizing sports betting in the state. On Thursday, they submitted over 340,000 voter signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office in Jefferson City. The campaign received support from popular team mascots like Fredbird from the Cardinals, Sluggerrr from the Royals, and Louie from the Blues. These mascots enthusiastically carried boxes filled with signatures to the office.
If approved by voters, Missouri would become one of only a few states where sports wagering remains illegal more than five years after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the matter. A coalition of prominent sports organizations, including the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Current, and St. Louis City soccer teams are behind the initiative.
The proposed constitutional amendment aims to permit each of Missouri’s 13 casinos and six professional sports teams to offer both onsite and mobile sports betting. Teams would have control over onsite betting and advertising within a 400-yard radius of their stadiums and arenas. Additionally, two mobile sports betting operators would be licensed directly by the Missouri Gaming Commission. A portion of the licensing fees and taxes generated, at least $5 million annually
