Recount watch: Missouri narrowly passes Amendment to legalize sports betting, awaits certification
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri voters narrowly passed an amendment that will legalize sports betting in the Show Me State.
According to the Secretary of State's office, of the 2,932,246 ballots cast, more than 50% of Missourians voted in favor of Amendment 2.
“Missouri has some of the best sports fans in the world and they showed up big for their favorite teams on Election Day,” St. Louis Cardinals president Bill DeWitt said in a statement Winning For Missouri Education sent to ABC 17 News. "On behalf of all six of Missouri’s professional sports franchises, we want to thank the Missouri voters who made their voices heard by approving Amendment 2. This historic vote makes Missouri the 39th state to legalize sports betting and ensures we no longer lose valuable tax revenue to our neighboring states. Most importantly, the passage of Amendment 2 means a new, dedicated, permanent funding stream for Missouri classrooms."
With a margin of victory of just 4,366 votes, opponents of Amendment 2 can ask for a recount. However, the Secretary of States Office says that a recount can only be called for once the results are certified.
A request for a recount must be made within seven days after the election is certified. If a recount is requested it must be completed within 20 days after. Missouri law allows any defeated candidate or person, regarding a ballot measure, to request a recount under the following circumstances:
"Any contestant in a primary or other election contest who was defeated by less than one percent of the votes cast for the office and any contestant who received the second highest number of votes cast for that office if two or more are to be elected and who was defeated by less than one percent of the votes cast, or any person whose position on a question was defeated by less than one percent of the votes cast on the question, shall have the right to a recount of the votes cast for the office or on the question.”
While any person whose position was defeated by less than one percent is eligible to ask for a recount, it does not mean that a recount will occur. According to the secretary of state's office courts generally only grant a recount for individuals who played a role in a political committee or campaign.
If the results are upheld, it could still take several weeks to get sportsbooks up and running. Amendment 2 instructs the Missouri Gaming Commission to have sports betting available no later than Dec. 1, 2025. Bettors must be 21 years old to place a bet in Missouri.
Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment spokeswoman Brooke Foster says the group does not plan on requesting a recount.
"Thank you to the thousands of Missourians who voted NO on Amendment 2. We are grateful for the many, many organizations and voters who supported our coalition, and we extend our congratulations to Winning for Missouri Education. We look forward to finding ways to work together to benefit all Missourians," Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment said in a statement.
Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment received more than $14 million in campaign contributions, many of which were from hotels and casinos such as Isle of Capri, Harrah's, and Caesars.
Each of Missouri’s 13 casinos and six of the state's professional sports teams can apply for a license to offer sports betting at their establishments and for mobile betting. The state will offer another two mobile licenses that are “untethered” to a physical location. Seeing that DraftKings and FanDuel each poured millions into Winning for Missouri Education's campaign, they will likely receive the pair of mobile licenses.
The retail licenses will cost no more than $250,000 while the mobile licenses will cost no more than $500,000. Money made from the licenses and their renewals every five years will first pay the MGC for its operational expenses and then go to the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund.
