Missouri Sports Betting Amendment Opponents Reduce TV Ads

A majority of the US states already offer legal sports betting. The activity is available in 38 states as well as Washington DC. Still, a dozen states are yet to legalize wagering, and Missouri is on that list. Come the November ballot, residents of the state will be able to vote in favor or against the legalization of betting on sports. With the date approaching, campaigns for and against the legalization intensified.

Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment Cut Spending for Anti-betting Ads

Missouri voters will have the ability either approve or reject Amendment 2, an effort that if greenlighted, would make it legal for adults, 21 or older, to place bets on sports events. The vote is required as Amendment 2 requires a change in Missouri’s Constitution that would permit the activity.

Two organizations clash in support and opposition of Amendment 2, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment and Winning for Missouri Education. As the name of the first organization suggests, it opposes the legalization of betting. On the other hand, Winning for Missouri Education supports the legalization of the activity, and it is one of the best-funded ballot measures in the history of Missouri with its $15.8 million. Not unexpectedly, DraftKings and FanDuel, two recognizable gambling operators, are the biggest supporters of Winning for Missouri Education.

As announced by the Missouri Independent, ahead of the ballot in November, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment took a step back from advertising after pulling approximately $1.2 million worth of TV advertisements. The publication cited data from the Federal Communications Commission, which revealed that while the organization reserved nearly $4 million in TV ads against Amendment 2, an estimated $1.2 million was cut.

Caesars Entertainment, a company that owns casinos across Missouri is the main supporter of Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment. The organization in opposition of Amendment 2 has so far received $14.2 million from Caesars and in its anti-betting campaign it raises concerns regarding the distribution of gambling taxes. Moreover, the organization is also skeptical regarding a forecasted $100 million in proceeds from betting that would benefit education programs for the first five years.

The Anti-betting Effort Will Focus on Discussions with Communities Across the State

This summer, a survey by St. Louis University/YouGov, revealed that an estimated 50% of the likely voters in Missouri supported the legalization of sports betting. In contrast, only 30% opposed Amendment 2.

Ahead of the ballot next month, the results look different, explains Brooke Foster, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment’s spokeswoman. “It’s definitely tightened,” she revealed, predicting that the vote will likely be very close.

Asked about the recently pulled ads from TV, Foster revealed that the organization will slightly shift its focus. She explained: “We have decided to focus our efforts on grassroots outreach and community conversations during the two weeks that remain before Election Day.” Still, the spokeswoman explained that out-of-state betting operators continue to pour millions into TV ads in support of Amendment 2.