The same attorney who in November 2021 filed nine proposed sports betting ballot initiatives backed by a coalition of Missouri professional sports teams filed four petitions Friday for ballot initiatives that would allow for retail and statewide digital wagering.
The four proposals differ only in the number of standalone mobile platforms that could be allowed — with four the most — and propose a 10% tax rate.
Missouri lawmakers earlier this year closed their session without approving legal wagering. One lawmaker’s desire to tie the legalization of so-called “gray machines” to sports betting has been the stumbling block.
In 2021, attorney Alixandra Cossette filed petitions on behalf of the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Blues, and St. Louis City Soccer Club. The current set of proposals, any of which could potentially land on the November 2024 ballot, would allow for the NFL, Major League Baseball, the NBA, the NHL, the WNBA, and the National Women’s Soccer League to apply for retail and digital sportsbook licenses.
Each entity, in addition to the the state’s existing gambling boats, would be entitled to one license for a brick-and-mortar location and one for a digital platform.
The proposals, numbered 2024-135 through 138, outline key details, including funneling $5 million per year to a new Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund, setting the application fees at $250,000 for a retail license and $500,000 for a digital license, prohibiting targeting minors and those on exclusion lists in advertising, and allowing for sportsbook operators to deduct up to 25% of promotional play.
In addition, any surplus fees from sports betting after regulatory expenses would be sent to the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund. Tax dollars less expenses and RG funding, are earmarked for education initiatives.
Pro teams would be in control around stadiums
All the proposals require that wagering go live by Dec. 31, 2025.
The legal age to bet would be 21, and special districts around sports stadiums with capacity of 11,500 or more would be set up. Within those zones, which would extend 400 yards from each facility, the team within the district would be at liberty to have one sportsbook anywhere within in the zone.
That means, for example, that the St. Louis Cardinals could opt not to have a sportsbook at Busch Stadium but have one at another commercial location within the zone. Advertising would be limited within those zones, with the team in the zone allowed to determine what advertising will be allowed. Digital platforms would be available for use within the special zones.
With no action in Missouri Capitol, Cardinals consider asking voters to approve sports betting https://t.co/VnUyyFaISQ
— STL Cardinals News (@STLCardsNews) May 2, 2023
Betting on colleges, including those based in Missouri, would be allowed.
From here, the proposals are open for public comment. After reviewing comments and the petitions themselves, the Secretary of State’s office may approve the petitions, and then petitioners must gather the signatures of 8% of registered voters in six of Missouri’s eight congressional districts. According to Ballotpedia, 171,592 verified signatures would be needed for a petition to get on the 2024 ballot, and those signatures must be submitted to the Secretary of State six months ahead of election day. An initiative must pass through the offices of the secretary of state, attorney general, and state auditor before getting final approval for circulation.
