Caesars became the first gaming company to publicly oppose the online Missouri sports betting ballot question through a $4 million contribution to a newly formed PAC.
According to Missouri Ethics Commission filings, Caesars Enterprise and three Caesars Entertainment-owned Missouri casinos contributed more than $4 million last week to Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment. The campaign filed paperwork last week to oppose the Missouri sports betting question on the November ballot.
Multiple industry sources previously told LSR they expected Caesars would provide support for an opposition campaign prior to the public contributions.
Mounting ballot question challenges
The new PAC is the latest hurdle the ballot question has had to clear.
Last month, a mysterious lawsuit challenged the certification process of the sports betting ballot petition. The judge sided with Secretary of State John Ashcroft, maintaining the question’s status on the ballot.
Two Democratic political consultants and a prominent Republican lawyer with no apparent connection to the measure brought the suit. Although there was no clear backer behind the lawsuit, filing attorney Marc Ellinger has worked with the Missouri Gaming Association, which represents the six casino operators.
Caesars money against Missouri sports betting
Sources told LSR that land-based casino operators in Missouri are upset the ballot language allows for two untethered online sportsbook licenses while the six casino operators are allowed one each. In proposed legislation over the past three years, there were no untethered licenses, and casinos were given multiple skins.
A press release from Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment said it was started to oppose the ballot question “written by and for the financial benefit of its out-of-state corporate sponsors and funders.”
Caesars is now contributing to the campaign opposing the ballot question. The company made the following donations to the campaign:
- Caesars Enterprise: $156,202.79
- Harrah’s North Kansas City: $1.4 million
- Isle of Capri Boonville: $1.3 million
- Tropicana St. Louis: $1.3 million
Missouri sports betting backers push forward
DraftKings and FanDuel have contributed more than $11.5 million to Winning for Missouri Education, the group behind the ballot question. Last week, FanDuel donated an additional $1.5 million to Winning for Missouri Education.
The committee was launched by Missouri professional sports teams.
The campaign launched its first TV advertisement last week.
Ballot question details
In less than two months, voters will decide whether to legalize Missouri sports betting. The question would approve in-person and online sportsbooks and create a 10% tax on sports betting revenue.
Along with the two untethered online licenses and casino skins, the six professional sports teams would also be allowed to partner with a sportsbook.
Missouri sports betting polling recently found 50% of Show-Me State voters support sports betting. Another 21% of Missourians are undecided.
