JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri professional sports teams on Thursday submitted more than 340,000 voter signatures to put a ballot proposal before voters to legalize sports betting this November. did.
The campaign featured Fred Bird, the Cardinals' mascot, Slugger of the Royals, and Louis, the St. Louis Blues' mascot. Oversized birds, lions and blue bears waved enthusiastically as they carried boxes filled with voter signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State's office in Jefferson City.
Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft will now have to verify voter signatures before the proposal officially appears on the ballot. Approximately 180,000 signatures are needed to participate in this campaign.
sum of 38 states The District of Columbia currently allows some forms of sports betting, including the 30 states and capital cities that allow online betting.
Missouri's initiative is an attempt to bypass the Senate, where bills to allow sports betting have repeatedly stalled.Missouri is one of only 12 states where sports betting remains illegal more than five years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling paved the way May each country adopt it.
Participating teams union Includes the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Currents and St. Louis City football teams.
A proposed constitutional amendment would allow each of Missouri's 13 casinos and six professional sports teams to offer on-site and mobile sports betting. Teams will control on-site wagering and advertising within 400 yards (366 meters) of their stadiums and arenas. The initiative would also allow two mobile sports betting operators to obtain licenses directly from the Missouri Gaming Commission.
Under the initiative, at least $5 million a year in license fees and taxes would go towards problem gambling programs, with the remaining tax revenue going to elementary, secondary and higher education. If approved by voters, state regulators would have to open sports betting no later than Dec. 1, 2025.
