The reigning Super Bowl champions are putting the pieces in place to hit the ground running when sports betting becomes legal in Missouri. The Kansas City Chiefs recently indicated that if Missouri sports betting is legalized, the team will be ready to overhaul existing space at their remodeled stadium to create a retail sportsbook.
While the team’s plan to upgrade GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to the tune of $800 million doesn’t currently include blueprints for a sportsbook, Chiefs President Mark Donovan told KSHB 41 that there are spaces in the complex that could be retrofitted to accommodate a betting facility.
“If it actually came to fruition, we’d look at it, and I think there are ways we could retrofit something if it makes sense,” he said. “We probably have a partner who would want to retrofit with us, right? But right now, we are not contemplating that as part of this plan.”
Arrowhead Stadium renovations hinge on sales tax vote
Last week the team announced its renovation plans for the stadium, with construction projected to be complete for either the 2030 or 2031 season. The overhaul would include a new turf area for games and fan events, upper concourse improvements, more accessible entry points, new video boards, new end zone suites, and extended parking.
The team will go ahead with the renovations if voters pass a sales tax extension on April 2.
Sports betting legalization efforts continue despite past failures
Over the years, sports betting bills have floundered in the state legislature due to opposition from powerful lawmakers in the Senate. Sen. Denny Hoskins has stymied efforts put forward by House members because the lower chamber’s bills didn’t include provisions to include the legalization of video lottery terminals.
However, Rep. Dan Houx, the leading proponent in the House, continues to put forward bills, including the current House Bill 2331, which awaits a vote on the House floor.
Another house member, House Minority Leader Rep. Crystal Quade introduced a bill, HB 2835, in late February that addresses the VLT issue.
Outside of the legislature, professional sports teams in the state, including the Chiefs, have supported ballot initiative efforts to get sports betting on the November ballot. The political action committee working with the teams and commercial sportsbook operators has gathered at least 100,000 signatures already.
The PAC needs another 80,000 by the May 5 Missouri Secretary of State’s deadline for submitting legitimate signatures for a ballot proposition.
Missouri residents support legalization
If the number of sports bets placed in Kansas for the Super Bowl is any indication, Missourians are hungry for legal sports betting — 60% of state residents support legalization, according to a recent poll.
Six of the seven states that border the Show Me State have legal sports betting in some form. Sports betting geolocation technology firm GeoComply reported record-breaking wagering numbers for the Super Bowl this year, with 48% of its geolocation checks from Missouri attempting to access Kansas sportsbooks while 37% tried to access sportsbooks in Illinois.