In Missouri, two major initiatives have successfully made their way onto the November 5 ballot, reflecting a significant bypass of the state legislature. The Secretary of State, Jay Ashcroft, confirmed that a proposed constitutional amendment for legalizing sports wagering and a statutory change to raise the minimum wage gathered the required signatures across six congressional districts.
Sports betting initiative gains momentum:
The sports betting proposal, spearheaded by the nation’s two largest sportsbooks and supported by prominent Missouri sports teams, has been designated as Amendment 2. This initiative was primarily funded by FanDuel and DraftKings, who contributed a substantial $6.3 million to the campaign. Bill DeWitt III, president of the St. Louis Cardinals, representing all six of Missouri’s professional sports teams, endorsed the initiative: “Missouri is now just one step away from joining most other states in legalizing sports betting and being able to provide millions of dollars to Missouri classrooms,” he stated.
Missouri sports teams would benefit from exclusive rights to offer branded wagering platforms and advertising near their venues. The proposed structure would see the gaming industry taxed at 10% of net earnings after deductions for promotions and other costs, a model similar to the one adopted by Kansas in 2022, which generated significant state revenue.
Proposition A aims to increase the state’s minimum wage, marking the third such initiative in recent years, with previous measures passing successfully in 2006 and 2018. The new proposal would not only boost hourly wages but also mandate that employers provide paid time off at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked. As the Missouri Independent reports, Lora Gulley, from Generate Health in St. Louis, commented on the proposal’s broader implications: “Allowing workers to earn paid sick days and increasing the minimum wage is a huge step in the right direction.”
The campaign for Proposition A, costing $855,000 to launch, reported having $1 million on hand as of June 30, with significant financial backing from the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a Washington D.C.-based advocacy group.
Casino initiative falls short:
A separate initiative to license a new casino near the Lake of the Ozarks was not as fortunate, falling short by 2,031 signatures in the crucial 2nd Congressional District. The proposed casino was intended to rival an upcoming Osage Nation project. Spokesperson Ed Rhode from Osage River Gaming and Convention expressed optimism despite the setback: “We are confident that after all the signatures are counted and verified we will appear on the November 2024 ballot.”
According to SBC Americas, Missourians will vote on other significant amendments, including measures to protect reproductive rights, in addition to sports betting and minimum wage. The outcomes of these ballot initiatives could significantly influence the state’s legal and economic landscape, with implications for employment, healthcare, and entertainment industries.