A recent poll conducted by the Remington Research Group, on behalf of news service Missouri Scout, indicates that the majority of Missouri voters are opposed to the legalization of sports betting.
The poll results suggest that if the November election were held today, the initiative proposal to legalize sports betting in Missouri, backed by the state’s professional sports teams, would likely fail. This proposal, which calls for statewide digital wagering tethered to professional sports venues or existing casinos, garnered the least support among four potential initiative questions.
The survey, which features input from 684 likely voters, was carried out over two days between May 8-9 and reveals that 60% of respondents are against legalizing sports betting, with 36% in favor and 4% undecided. This opposition highlights Missouri’s conservative stance, as reflected in the voters’ attitudes toward other issues such as legal abortion.
For over five years, Missouri’s general assembly has been trying to legalize sports betting, but efforts have been hindered by Senator Denny Hoskins. Hoskins has persistently tied wagering legalization to the legalization of video lottery terminals (VLTs), which has faced resistance from the state’s casinos.
The casinos argue that VLTs, which resemble slot machines, threaten their business and want these machines banned. Currently, VLTs operate in a grey area, found in convenience stores and restaurants without explicit regulation.
Senator Hoskins has actively opposed several bills supported by casinos and professional teams, even filibustering to prevent House bills from reaching a Senate vote.
However, with Hoskins term-limiting out later this year, the professional sports teams, under the name “Winning for Missouri Education,” have taken matters into their own hands. They have filed an initiative proposal and submitted 340,000 signatures to the state for verification, aiming to move forward with a plan allowing both digital platforms and brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
Casino companies face a potential limitation under this initiative, as they would receive only a single skin regardless of the number of locations they operate, whereas legislative proposals allowed for up to three. Their full support of the plan is unlikely.
Caesars Entertainment and Penn Entertainment, each operating three properties in Missouri, and other companies like Affinity Gaming, Boyd Gaming, and Century Casinos, which operate two properties each, could be significantly affected by this restriction.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/noticias/2024/05/30/72419-majority-of-missouri-voters-oppose-sports-betting-legalization-new-poll-shows
