Missouri Voters Say Sure to Sports activities Betting (Simply), No to Lake of Ozarks On line casino
Missouri voters seem to have narrowly accredited an modification to legalize sports activities betting within the state on Tuesday evening, however handed on a measure that might have created a brand new on line casino license for the Lake of the Ozarks.
Voters lining as much as forged their ballots in Missouri. With one precinct left to report on the time of publication, sports activities betting is all however a accomplished deal. (Picture: Missouri Unbiased)
As of 5 a.m., with only one county left to report, 50.23% of voters had mentioned sure to the modification (Modification 2) for a slender margin of simply over 13K votes. The end result has already been referred to as by The Missouri Unbiased (though not by the Related Press on the time of writing). Which means Missouri ought to turn into the one state this yr to legalize sports activities wagering.
With such a small margin of victory, it’s doable {that a} recount might be requested, however recounts aren’t computerized in Missouri.
Modification 2 was backed by the state’s professional sports activities groups and most of its on line casino operators, together with DraftKings and FanDuel. They’d turn into pissed off by the legislature’s failure to get the job accomplished throughout a number of classes.
Sportsbook Splurge
DraftKings and FanDuel poured virtually $41 million into the poll marketing campaign, dubbed “Profitable for Missouri Training.” In the meantime, Caesars Leisure, the one one of many state’s on line casino operators not backing the initiative, spent $14 million on an opposing marketing campaign.
Caesars’ objection stemmed from the truth that on-line sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel might be licensed with out having to create a enterprise partnership with an area on line casino.
Below the modification, every of Missouri’s 13 licensed casinos may supply retail sports activities betting on-site, in addition to via a cellular platform.
The state’s six main skilled sports activities groups would additionally have the ability to supply land-based sports activities betting at one location near their stadiums, in addition to through a cellular app. Two licenses can be out there for on-line sportsbooks and not using a hyperlink to a on line casino or sports activities workforce.
On line casino Plan Sinks
Whereas there nonetheless could also be a scintilla of doubt concerning the Modification 2 end result, it’s clear that the Lake of the Ozarks on line casino measure has failed. Modification 5 would have modified the state structure to permit for a on line casino to be constructed on or close to synthetic our bodies of water whereas making a 14th on line casino license. Below Missouri’s structure, casinos can solely be constructed alongside rivers.
The modification was backed by Bally’s Corp and the Osage River Gaming and Conference Committee (OGCC), which have lengthy proposed a on line casino for the favored vacationer hotspot.
One group that can applaud the failure of the measure is the Osage Nation, which has plans for a on line casino of its personal on the lake. The Oklahoma-based tribe claims ancestral ties to the world and has ambitions to construct Missouri’s first tribal on line casino there.
The plan is awaiting approval by the federal authorities.
