While a lawsuit aims to knock Missouri sports betting off the November ballot, Show-Me State voters appear ready to approve a constitutional amendment to legalize the industry.
Saint Louis University and YouGov released a poll last week showing 50% of likely voters approve of Missouri sports betting at the ballot box, while another 21% are undecided on the issue. This finding is a boost from previous Missouri sports betting polling.
“This amendment seems very likely to pass,” according to SLU’s Kenneth Warren, a political science professor, in the poll’s press release.
Missouri sports betting ballot question
The question would legalize online and in-person sports betting for the state’s six casino operators and six professional sports teams. It also would create two standalone online licenses that the Missouri Gaming Commission can allocate.
Missouri could tax sports betting revenue at 10%, which would go toward education in the state.
A lawsuit seeks to discredit the Secretary of State’s certification process for the sports betting ballot question. A hearing is scheduled on that suit for Thursday.
Missouri sports betting crosstabs
Democratic, male and urban voters are the most supportive of sports betting:
- Democratic voters: 58% for the amendment, 24% unsure and 17% against
- Republican voters: 44% for, 21% unsure and 35% against
- Men: 58% in favor
- Women: 42% in favor
- St. Louis metro area: 56% in favor
- Kansas City metro area: 58% in favor
Rural areas were lukewarm on the issue, according to the SLU release. The survey also found voters with higher incomes and education levels supported sports betting at a higher rate than those with lower levels of both.
August Missouri election survey methodology
The SLU/YouGov poll surveyed 900 Missourians on a variety of issues, including their opinions on the US Presidential, US Senate, and Missouri elections. The survey was conducted August 8-16.
YouGov is an opt-in online survey panel consisting of 3.1 million Americans. It weighs its set of survey respondents to Missouri voter statistics with a margin of error of 3.79%.
SLU School of Education’s PRiME Center funded the poll.
Sports betting ‘obstructionist’ in line for statewide office
During the legislative efforts to legalize sports betting, there was a major antagonist who blocked any final passage: Sen. Denny Hoskins. Hoskins is the Republican candidate for Secretary of State.
The SLU/YouGov poll has Hoskins with a 54% to 36% lead over the Democratic candidate Barbara Phifer.
Hoskins told LSR last week he has not paid attention to the sports betting ballot initiative or the lawsuit.
