DraftKings is placing a significant bet on Missouri voters supporting Amendment 2 in the upcoming November election, a ballot measure aimed at legalizing retail and online sports betting across the state.
The Boston-based sports betting giant bolstered the campaign supporting Amendment 2, known as Winning for Missouri Education, with a $5 million contribution this week. This latest funding follows a $3.5 million donation it made just last month, reflecting DraftKings’ confidence and vested interest in the amendment’s passage.
Meanwhile, Caesars Entertainment has emerged as a prominent opponent of Amendment 2. Caesars argues that the amendment, which would introduce multiple sportsbook operators into Missouri, is primarily driven by “out-of-state corporate sponsors” looking to profit without substantial investments in the state’s local casino industry. To date, Caesars has spent $4 million supporting the opposition group Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment. The company believes that sports betting should be limited to established casino operators like itself, which runs three riverboat casinos in Missouri: Isle of Capri in Boonville, Horseshoe St. Louis, and Harrah’s Kansas City.
If Amendment 2 garners a simple majority of votes, it would enable Missouri’s 13 casinos to offer both retail and online sports betting services. Additionally, professional sports venues in the state would be able to provide similar wagering options. The measure also proposes the creation of two entirely mobile sports betting platforms, untethered to any physical casino or sports venue.
DraftKings’ primary competitor, FanDuel, has also invested heavily in the pro-Amendment 2 campaign. Together, they have raised $16.5 million for Winning for Missouri Education since January. This citizen-initiated constitutional amendment became necessary after legislative efforts in Jefferson City failed, primarily due to disagreements spearheaded by State Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg).
Sen. Hoskins has repeatedly blocked sports betting legislation, insisting that any expansion of gambling should include regulations on controversial gray market games, which are widely seen in places like restaurants, bars, and gas stations. State Sen. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia), however, criticized Hoskins’ tactics as obstructive, citing that other states have moved forward with sports betting initiatives that Missouri is missing out on.
Undeterred, Winning for Missouri Education conducted a successful signature campaign to bring the referendum to voters. In August, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office verified enough signatures to place Amendment 2 on the ballot. A subsequent legal challenge questioning the legitimacy of the signatures and Ashcroft’s use of an outdated congressional map failed, clearing the path for the measure to be voted on November 5.
Caesars Entertainment’s opposition centers around keeping sports betting within the established casino sector, ensuring that only entities like itself get to decide which third-party operators can enter the market. In contrast, Amendment 2 envisions broader access, allowing independent sportsbooks and professional sports venues to offer both physical and online betting platforms.
