Three citizen-initiated propositions will be on the Missouri ballot in November, including sports betting. In the past, Missouri’s six professional sports teams have strongly promoted the idea of ​​legalizing sports betting.

Sports betting has been legal in Kansas since 2022, and the state is trying to lure the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals across state lines. Is Kansas City Chiefs President Mark Donovan linking the outcome of the sports betting proposal to the Chiefs’ future in Missouri?

“As far as the stadium decision goes, I don’t think that’s a major factor in the decision. I think it would be a nice amenity that we could add if we get something done in Missouri, something that we could add to everything we do here. But I don’t think that’s not a major factor in the decision, whichever way it goes,” he said.

Kansas’ sports betting law would earmark sports betting revenue as an incentive for teams to move to the state. Missouri’s sports betting initiative would include a 10% revenue tax to benefit the state’s public schools.

Donovan is fully convinced by the proposal.

“I spend more time on this issue in Jefferson City than almost any other issue. We really believe it’s the right thing. We think it’s good for the state. We think it’s good for the fans of sports and other sports,” Donovan said.

He claims that sports betting has a solid track record.

“And we believe it’s a proven method,” Donovan said. “It’s something that works at a pretty high level in just about every state around Missouri.”

Donovan praised the work of Bill DeWitt, president of the St. Louis Cardinals, who Donovan said has led a consortium of professional sports teams in Missouri that is pushing for the legalization of sports betting.

By Matt Pike of Missourinet partner KFEQ in St. Joseph