~ MO Leaves Millions for Education on the Table as Data this Football Season
Highlights Demand for Legal Sports Betting ~
Jefferson City, Mo – New data highlights the extent of Missouri’s lost revenue due to
the lack of legalized sports betting. From the start of the NFL season on September 5
through October 21, Missouri’s 216,000 mobile sports betting accounts tried, but failed,
to place 11.1 million wagers in neighboring states where sports betting is legal. This
data, provided by gaming compliance company GeoComply, underscores the demand
for a safe, regulated betting framework within Missouri.
The data shows that 57% of these 11.1 million attempted sports wagers were trying to
access legal sportsbooks in Illinois, while 37% were attempting to place bets with
Kansas sportsbooks. While these bets weren’t accepted because they were physically
in Missouri at the time, tens of thousands of others likely drove into one of Missouri’s
neighboring states to place bets and help our neighboring economies.
“The fact that people in Missouri attempted to make 11.1 million sports wagers in just
the first seven weeks of the football season shows just how much Missouri, and
specifically our classrooms, are missing by not legalizing sports betting,” said Jack
Cardetti, Winning for Missouri Education spokesperson. “Amendment 2 will legalize
sports betting in Missouri and ensure these funds are reinvested back into our
communities, particularly in our education system.”
A notable highlight of GeoComply’s report is the heavy activity on the opening day of the
NFL season, particularly around Arrowhead Stadium. As the Kansas City Chiefs hosted
the Baltimore Ravens, nearly 21,000 geolocation checks were recorded at the stadium
from Missouri residents attempting to place legal wagers in nearby states. GeoComply,
a geofencing provider, monitors these attempts for betting operators and blocks illegal
wagers, providing insight into the state’s significant untapped market for legal sports
betting.
All six of Missouri’s professional sports teams are supporting a “Yes” vote on
Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting which would be regulated by the
Missouri Gaming Commission, with a 10% tax earmarked for public education.
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Paid for by Winning for Missouri Education, Mike Pridmore, Treasurer