Missouri urged to rethink campaign strategy amid latest sports betting poll

Article by : Charles Perrin Jul 1, 2024

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Missouri may need to be a little more creative or rather a bit smarter when it comes to tactics to try and curry favor for its sports betting initiative.

In November, Missourians will not only be voting on who will get the keys to the White House but there will also be a sports betting referendum held.

Yes, Missouri is looking to legalize online and retail sports betting, but judging by the latest results of a poll, things appear to be on a knife edge.

A survey conducted recently showed that about 38% of the public would vote in favor of the sports betting measure, while 35% would reject it, and 26% are sitting in the unsure camp.

DraftKings and FanDuel are believed to be helping bankroll the initiative, but Matt Taglia, who works as the senior poll director at Emerson College, believes Missouri needs to be more coherent on the messaging side of things, so they can deliver on their campaign strategy.

He said: “I think there’s some messaging work to do here on the side of passing sports betting in Missouri.

“I don’t think folks necessarily know what all it entails but a lot of them are, in principle, supportive of the idea.”

Currently, Missouri State Secretary Jay Ashcroft’s office is making its way through the swathe of signatures, and at least 171,592 must be validated to reach the November ballot.

Missouri is bordered by eight states, and all but Oklahoma has some form of legal sports betting.

Should the sports betting question be approved, then state lawmakers would need to establish licensing fees as well as agree on a state tax on oddsmakers’ gross revenues.

There is still a way to go before that happens, but Missourians don’t have too long to nail their campaign strategy.