In a big move to influence Missouri voters in favor of legalizing sports betting, DraftKings’ parent company, DK Crown Holdings, has donated $3.5 million to the political action committee (PAC) pushing for the initiative. This brings the PAC, named Winning for Missouri Education, to over $10 million in total fundraising, according to filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
This significant contribution from one of the leading sports betting companies came just after the Missouri Secretary of State confirmed that the campaign had gathered enough signatures to get on the November ballot. If the initiative passes, Missouri would join 38 other states that have legalized sports betting, generating more funds for education and gambling addiction programs, as reported by the St. Louis Dispatch.
Statewide Campaign To Inform Voters
Campaign spokesperson Jack Cardetti highlighted how the funds will be used strategically: “Now that we’re officially on the ballot, we’ll spend the next two and a half months educating Missourians across the state about why setting up a legal sports betting system is beneficial for public education.” The campaign plans to reach voters throughout Missouri to explain the benefits of legalizing sports betting.
The initiative has strong support, with polls from Emerson College and a joint poll by St. Louis University and YouGov showing over 60% of Missouri residents in favor. This support crosses political lines and is strong in both rural and urban areas, indicating widespread backing for the measure.
Support From Missouri’s Professional Sports Teams
Missouri’s major professional sports teams also back the initiative. The state’s six top teams—St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis City SC, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and Kansas City Current—have all endorsed it. Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III expressed gratitude to those who signed the petition, saying, “A vote for Amendment 2 in November is the right thing to do for both Missouri public schools and our favorite sports teams.”
The proposal includes a 10% tax on sports betting, allowing both the professional sports teams and the state’s 13 casinos to offer retail and online sports betting. The Missouri Gaming Commission would oversee regulation, and 10% of the gaming tax revenue would go to the local city or county hosting the casino.
