Trump Wins 2024 Election: Missouri Gambling Benefits
The nationwide elections held on November 6 gave voters many choices. They were able to vote on everything from office of the United States President to members of Congress, governors, members of state legislatures, statewide referendums and constitutional amendments, and local propositions.
The results of the election for higher offices of the US government make little difference to the gambling world. Whether you’re interested in the future of online poker, fantasy sports, online casino games, or sports betting, the holders of these offices are not likely to have any effect on these industries or gambling as a whole. Both Democrats and Republicans have opposed gambling measures and supported them in the past. But on the whole, there is little chance that any of them would support a federal law legalizing wagering or betting or any kind.
The most impactful results of the election pertaining to gambling happened in Missouri.
Missouri Sports Betting Legalized
Legislators in Missouri have been debating sports betting for years. Finally, in 2024, a measure went to the state’s voters in the form of Amendment 2. The measure posed the question of amending the state constitution to allow licensed sports wagering. A yes vote supported the Missouri Gambling Commission’s ability to issue licenses to sports wagering operators. There were a couple of details in the measure:
- Bettors must be at least 21 years of age.
- Licensing fees and a 10% wagering tax on revenue would benefit education and the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund.
- Bettors must be located in Missouri or on gambling boats.
- Sports betting will be available before December 1, 2025.
State research estimated that tax revenue after deductions could run as high as $28.9M annually.
Many state officials supported the bill, as did St. Louis and Kansas City sports organizations, companies like FanDuel and DraftKings, and lobbyists. A prominent state senator – Denny Hoskins – opposed the bill, as did Caesars Entertainment and the Missouri AFL-CIO labor organization.
The vote was close, but the amendment did pass by a slim margin: 50.13% in favor and 49.87% opposed.
The American Gaming Commission supported the amendment and applauded its passage.
New Missouri Casino Denied
Amendment 5 for Missouri voters pertained to a new casino. The state constitutional amendment wanted to issue a gambling boat license for an operator on the Osage River between the Missouri River and Bagnell Dam in the Lake of the Ozarks region of the state. Revenue would benefit early-childhood literary programs in public elementary schools.
There was controversy regarding this casino proposal, however. While Bally’s Corporation and the Missouri ALF-CIO supported the measure, the Osage Nation took issue with it. The Osage Nation acquired land in the area in 2021 with the plan to build a casino under federal tribal gaming allowances. However, the federal government and Missouri Governor Mike Parson had yet to create and agree to a compact to allow it. The ballot measure would have usurped that plan and built a casino before the Osage – in the same area and in direct competition.
That bill failed by a reasonable margin: 47.6% in support and 52.4% in opposition.
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