While Caesars has reversed their “no” on Amendment 2 funding in Missouri, FanDuel contributed an additional $4.6 million to the legal sports betting proposal on October 24.
According to Missouri Ethics Commission records, FanDuel’s newest payment raises the total amount contributed to the “Winning for Missouri Education” campaign to $40.7 million (£31.2 million/€37.6 million). That figure alone would make the campaign the most expensive in Missouri history. Before opting to “focus our efforts on grassroots outreach and community conversations” and removing $1 million in scheduled television advertising earlier this month, Caesars had spent more than $14 million on the “no” campaign.
The two largest newspapers in Missouri have sponsored Amendment 2. However, the Kansas City Star editorial board did so “with some hesitation” on October 10. In an editorial, the publication expressed worry about addiction.
It’s uncertain whether the proposal will pass. The most recent survey, issued in September, found 52% in support, 25% opposing, and 22% uncertain.
Key politicians support the amendment.
In addition, the “Winning for Missouri Education” website cites 28 legislators who support the measure. The list of politicians who have previously endorsed legal betting legislation reads like a who’s who. The list also includes the state’s two gubernatorial candidates. In terms of corporate leaders, the idea is supported by every professional sports team as well as superintendents or previous superintendents of educational systems around the state.
In addition, Ozzie Smith, a member of the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame, appears in television advertisements supporting Amendment 2.
The measure is not supported by the state’s six casinos, with Caesars being the only land-based casino operator to speak out. Caesars and Penn Entertainment each hold three physical casinos in Missouri, while Affinity Interactive, Boyd Gaming, and Century Casinos each have two. Bally’s already has one, but if another gaming proposal passes, it plans to build a second.
Amendment 5 proposes to raise the number of land-based casinos from 13 to 14. Proponents are fighting for a new location on the Lake of the Ozarks. Bally’s has already made a proposal for the location.
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Origins of the proposal
Amendment 2 pledges $100 million for education without raising taxes, but critics label the offer “disingenuous”. In this situation, according to mailers distributed in Missouri, the idea demands that 100% of taxes go to education. It bans politicians from diverting cash.
However, the language of the plan does not specify how much income will be accessible to schools. It also permits up to 10% of tax income, or $5 million, to be allocated to a problem gambling fund. Furthermore, it authorizes the gaming commission to compensate itself for “reasonable expenses” that are not covered by fees. According to the proposal text, tax earnings from authorized sports betting is not included in “total state revenues” and must be audited annually.
Amendment 2 was created because Missouri’s professional sports clubs got upset with the legislature’s failure to legalize. The earliest efforts date back to 2018. Senator Denny Hoskins, on the other hand, has long pushed to link the problem to the legalization of video lottery terminals (VLTs). Casinos oppose this because they claim the machines, which are now uncontrolled and untaxed, reduce their earnings. The casinos want VLTs banned outright.
Hoskins went so far as to filibuster twice to prevent legal wagering proposals from being heard on the Senate floor. Hoskins is quitting the Senate to seek for Secretary of State.
The St. Louis Cardinals are strong supporters of Amendment 2. Chairman and CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. oversaw the effort to get the initiative on the ballot. Since then, none of the state’s athletic teams have donated to the effort.
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