Chiefs Might Get In On Act If Missouri Approves Sports activities Betting
Ought to Missouri lastly approve sports activities wagering, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs might make alterations to accommodate a retail sportsbook at GEHA Area at Arrowhead Stadium. However for now, no such plans are within the works.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy after successful Tremendous Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. The staff might make room for a sportsbook at Arrowhead Stadium if Missouri approves sports activities betting. (Picture: AP)
Final week, the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champion Chiefs introduced plans for $800 million in upgrades to Arrowhead Stadium and the Harry S. Truman Sports activities Complicated. That’s assuming voters approve a gross sales tax extension on April 2. As issues stand right this moment, these efforts don’t embody something associated to sports activities wagering.
If it truly got here to fruition, we’d have a look at it and I believe there are methods we might retrofit one thing if it is sensible,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan stated in an interview with KSHB 41. “We in all probability have a companion who would wish to retrofit with us, proper? However proper now, we aren’t considering that as a part of this plan.”
The purpose is to have a refurbished model of the venerable Arrowhead Stadium prepared for both the 2030 or 2031 NFL seasons.
Missouri A Robust Carry
Sports activities wagering laws has persistently floundered in Missouri, regardless of assist from skilled sports activities franchises, together with the Chiefs, the Kansas Metropolis Royals, and the St. Louis Blues and Cardinals.
Republicans management the governor’s workplace and each homes of the state legislature, and it’s a conservative faction of the occasion within the State Senate that’s usually defeated sports activities betting payments. That’s as a consequence of regulation of grey-market gaming machines that proliferated in comfort shops, eating places and bars, fuel stations, and retail areas throughout the state.
Now, some politicians in Missouri wish to bypass sports activities betting laws and take the matter on to the voters. Donovan stated the Chiefs endorse bringing regulated sports activities wagering to the state.
“We’ve been supportive and been engaged on this for 4 and a half years,” Donovan stated within the KSHB 41 interview. “I’ve been in Jeff Metropolis extra on this difficulty than every other difficulty. We expect it is sensible. We’re very supportive of the coalition. I believe (President) Invoice DeWitt and the Cardinals deserve the majority of the credit score, as a result of they’ve executed the work and so they’re in it each single day. We admire that.”
Makes Sense for Chiefs
A protracted highway stays for legalizing sports activities wagering in Missouri. As such, it’s not but clear what gaming firm the Chiefs would companion with on an in-stadium sportsbook. However such venues are accredited by the NFL and will be income turbines for groups.
For Missouri, sports activities betting might be a income generator as nicely. As many as 24 candidates, together with 13 casinos, might apply for licenses. Meaning licensing charges on prime of associated tax receipts.
There’s additionally geographic reasoning for approving sports activities betting in Missouri. Of the seven states with which Missouri shares borders, six permit some type of regulated sports activities wagering, with Oklahoma being the exception.
