What Missourians can expect with the legality of sports betting
ST. JOSEPH, Mo (News-Press NOW) -- Online sports betting has exploded in popularity recently, having been legalized in 34 of the 50 states, with the newest state being Missouri.
Before the legalization of Missouri sports legislation, residents living on the border of Kansas, Arkansas, Iowa or Illinois could drive over state lines to place their bets.
Such methods won't be necessary come Dec. 1, 2025.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, the Missouri Sports Legislation was approved by voters, legalizing sports betting within the state; however, markets won't go live until Dec. 1, 2025.
In December of 2024, just after the November election, the official vote total for Missouri sports betting was announced. The totals showed a 3,000-vote difference separating Missouians in favor from those against.
Despite the negativity sports betting has received over the past few years, it's proven beneficial to the states that participate.
According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), in Kansas alone, sports betting generates over 13,000 jobs for the state and has a total economic impact of almost $2.4 billion.
According to the AGA's Kansas economic fact sheet, "Gaming tax revenue funds critical infrastructure projects in the state. State gaming taxes are also used to reduce the state’s debt and property taxes paid by Kansas residents."
The gaming tax placed on online sports betting also decreases the property taxes for Kansas residents.
Some Missouri residents are ecstatic about the implementation of online sports betting.
"I'm beyond excited, I've been waiting for years," said Jason Keough, a Missouri resident. "I'm excited for the state. All the money these other states are making from taxing it is great. I can't believe it's taken Missouri this long to tap into that revenue stream."
Keough said he's been gambling for years, but with the illegality of online sports betting in Missouri, he's had to take routes he might not have taken otherwise.
"I have friends that live in other states, I've done overseas betting through companies overseas," Keough said. "Going around ways I don't want to or shouldn't have to, now it's going to be easier for me."
Come Dec. 1, Missouri will have nine confirmed online sports betting apps, including DraftKings Sportsbook, Bet MGM, Bally Sports, Underdog Sports, Bet365, ESPN Bet, Circa Sports, Hard Rock Bet and Caesars Sportsbook.
In Missouri, there proves to be no shortage of teams to bet on once the markets go live.
Daniel McIntosh, a professor of sports business at Arizona State University, said another benefit of online sports betting is an increased experience for fans and tourists.
In a statement to News-Press NOW, McIntosh gave an example of this increased experience, which describes a fan watching a blowout baseball game.
"Imagine watching an 8-0 game. It's boring and you know who is going to win. But, place a bet on whether the D-backs score in the 7th inning and things get interesting. That's the pitch at least."
The example provides a sentiment confirmed by both Keough and another Missouri resident, Jason Mahnke, as placing a bet on a game they normally wouldn't watch can make it more exciting.
"It definitely makes it more exciting, even though I like watching sports already," Keough said. "It just adds to it."
"I think it gives you a reason to watch," Mahnke said. "It's one of those things, like on a Thursday night when it's a garbage game between two 1-6 teams, it's gonna give me that insight to watch the game a little bit more."
According to the AGA, surrounding states like Kansas and Iowa use the money coming in from taxing sports betting to decrease property taxes and fund projects like repairing roads and the state's education system.
Keough and Mahnke touched on where they would like to see the money go in Missouri once the markets go live.
"Where I'm at in Joplin, there's not a lot of super centers or anything for kids to really get into, and I'd like to see some of that built up in our different communities to be able to have more things for kids to do," Mahnke said. "Anything to help the kids."
"Missouri can do so many things," Keough said. "They can pay our teachers better, firefighters, cops, just everything, fix the roads even."
According to the Missouri Amendment 2 Sports Betting Initiative, the revenue gained from taxing online sports betting will go toward higher education and public schools.
Revenue will also go toward funding research for compulsive gambling, including treatment and recovery programs, along with services related to compulsive gambling.
With the sports betting initiatives being implemented on Dec. 1, Missouri residents will get the full effect of the betting atmosphere, especially around the time of the National Football League playoffs.
