New lobby group launches campaign to oppose Missouri sports betting bill
Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment argue that the proposed sports betting legislation is a “bad deal” for the Show-Me state
A newly formed lobby group in Missouri has launched its campaign against the proposed sports betting legislation ahead of its inclusion on the November ballot.
Legalized sports betting has been added to the Show-Me State’s ballot for the upcoming election in November, giving citizens the chance to vote on whether the legislation should be introduced.
However, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment (MADOGA) argued that the proposed legislation, also known as Amendment 2, has been drafted in such a way that allows operators to take advantage of constitutional loopholes and avoid paying tax revenues to the state.
The group alleged that the “deceptive” legislation provides no guarantees that money will go to the state, despite promotional claims that millions of dollars from sports betting will go towards education.
The lobbyists referenced a fiscal analysis conducted by Missouri State Auditor’s Office, which suggested operators could pay “zero gaming taxes for sports wagering.”
This is because they would be allowed to deduct promotional credits, free play, and federal taxes from their books.
MADOGA also cited bordering Kansas as a recent cautionary tale, claiming the Sunflower State received only $1,000 in tax revenues in February 2023, despite more than $194m being wagered during the same month the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl.
Brooke Foster, MADOGA spokesperson, said: “Amendment 2 is a bad deal for Missouri. This deceptive measure was written by and for the financial benefit of its out-of-state corporate sponsors and funders.
“We are building a broad coalition and are prepared to wage a vigorous campaign to educate voters across the State and ensure the measure is defeated.”
MADOGA launched its campaign in the same week that pro-sports betting group Winning for Missouri Education aired its first promotional campaign for the legislation.
The 30-second ad, posted on the Sports Betting Alliance Missouri YouTube channel, highlighted how any potential sports betting revenue could help increase pay for Missouri teachers.
The Winning for Missouri Education campaign has been backed financially by DraftKings and FanDuel, and has the support of Missouri’s professional sports teams including the Kansas City Chiefs, MLB’s St Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals, and NWSL’s Kansas City Current.
Amendment 2 would allow the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) to regulate online sports betting, gambling boats, and professional sports betting districts within the state.
Prospective operators would pay a 10% wagering tax on revenues received, with the MGC setting the license fees.
According to the legislation, said tax revenues would then be ringfenced for education funding across Missouri schools, in addition to funding the state’s Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund.
After an initial debate over the legitimacy of the 180,000 signatures needed for the legislation to be included in the general election, a Missouri court ruled earlier this week that the bill could indeed be included on the November ballot.