Missouri Ballot Measures on Gambling See Record-Breaking Campaign Spending

legalizing sports betting and authorizing a new casino, with industry heavyweights and opposition forces going head-to-head.

Leading the charge is the Amendment 2 campaign, ed by online sportsbooks to defeat Amendment 2, as the casino giant views the proposed legislation as unfavorable to their business model in the state.

The second major ballot initiative, Amendment 5, aims to authorize the creation of a new casino at Lake of the Ozarks. Bally’s Corp. and developer RIS Inc. have contributed a combined $9.4 million to this effort, making the total spending across both initiatives exceed $55 million.

Opponents Sceptical of Benefits

The vast sums of money highlight the significance of these proposals. Jack Cardetti, spokesperson for the pro-Amendment 2 group Winning for Missouri Education, acknowledged that reaching voters across Missouri’s many TV markets requires substantial resources. “It’s a large state, with a lot of TV markets, so it certainly takes resources to get your message out,” he said. The campaign claims that legalized sports betting could generate over $100 million for education within five years, a figure heavily promoted in their advertising. One ad states that sports wagering will “generate tens of millions of dollars every year for our classrooms, helping increase teacher pay.”

Opponents of Amendment 2, however, are skeptical of the promised benefits. Caesars’ representative, Brooke Foster, argues that the proposal primarily favors online platforms with little presence in Missouri. “Obviously, they’re not opposed to sports betting,” she said. “If it were written in a way that would actually benefit Missouri and Missourians in a more substantial way, it would be different.”

Meanwhile, the Amendment 5 campaign has focused on promoting the educational advantages that would come from a new casino. Their ads highlight that the $14.3 million in projected revenue from the casino would be directed to early childhood literacy programs in public schools, without increasing taxes. “For us, without any organized opposition that we’re aware of, it’s simply a matter of educating the voters about what our amendment does,” said Ed Rhode, a consultant for the YesOn5 committee.

Heavy Spending on Ads

As the campaigns for both measures ramp up, the battle for voters’ attention has led to heavy spending on ads. Gambling campaigns have already outspent candidates for statewide office, contributing $13.7 million to get their message out through television, streaming services, and online platforms like YouTube and Facebook.

For Amendment 2, the message is clear: sports betting could bring in substantial funding for Missouri schools. The campaign continues to emphasize that legalized wagering will keep money within state borders, benefiting classrooms instead of neighboring states like Kansas and Illinois. The appeal to fund education, ed by the state’s major sports teams, is a central theme.

However, Caesars Entertainment’s opposition focuses on questioning the financial projections of Amendment 2. Foster argues that potential deductions, including promotional giveaways, would significantly reduce the tax revenue generated, casting doubt on whether the promised educational funds will materialize. Critics claim that the fiscal benefits are inflated, comparing the proposal to a “Lottery 2.0,” where initial promises of funding failed to meet expectations. “Teachers were told the lottery would raise a lot of money for schools, but that didn’t happen,” states one ad funded by the opposition.

In contrast, Amendment 5’s proponents highlight the potential economic boost a new casino could bring to the Lake of the Ozarks. The campaign suggests that the development would not only create 500 permanent jobs but also draw year-round visitors, revitalizing an area traditionally reliant on seasonal tourism. With no significant opposition, the focus remains on educating voters about the benefits, particularly in early childhood literacy.

While both measures promise new revenue streams for education, the debate continues on how much of that money will actually make its way to Missouri classrooms. As Election Day nears, voters will have to weigh the potential benefits against the concerns raised by critics, making these gambling measures one of the most closely watched issues on the ballot this year.

Source:

Record Spending Fuels Missouri Campaigns To Legalize Sports Gambling, New Casino, missouriindependent.com, October 14, 2024.