A sports betting campaign in Missouri has garnered strong support from state residents.
Winning for Missouri Education, a coalition that aims to authorize sports betting in the Show-Me State via ballot initiative, has secured more than 100,000 petition signatures, according to Fox 2.
“We are seeing strong support in the signature gathering effort because Missourians know it is time to legalize sports betting and use the funding for education,” said campaign spokesman Jack Cardetti in a statement. “It’s not only good for our economy but will support our teachers and future generations of Missourians for years to come.”
Winning for Missouri Education is representing six of Missouri’s pro sports teams, which filed several motions in November 2023 with the Missouri Secretary of State to secure a ballot initiative ahead of this year’s election cycle. The motions, which were approved by Secretary of State John Ashcroft, seek to amend Missouri’s constitution. The amendment would require the fate of sports betting to be decided by a public vote later this year.
The six Missouri sports teams that have voiced their support of wagering include:
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Kansas City Current
- Kansas City Royals
- St. Louis Cardinals
- St. Louis Blues
- St. Louis SC
Winning for Missouri Education will continue to collect signatures as roughly 180,000 are needed for a ballot initiative in November. The coalition will have to move quickly as the Secretary of State’s office has placed a May 5 deadline for the petition to be turned in.
Despite the sense of urgency, leaders of the coalition estimate at least 300,000 signatures.
