There are rumblings that a person or a group is going to step in to make sure the Missouri sports betting initiative fails in November.
The proposal awaits final approval, but a referendum to legalize sports wagering in the state should be in front of voters in three months.
Some opposition is expected, like from lawmakers who have fought against sports betting legislation at the Capitol in the past. But there could be a powerful wildcard hiding in the shadows intent on making sure Missouri sports betting remains fantasy, not reality.
Newsletter hints at ‘powerful opponent’
Gambling advocate Steve Ruddock recently hinted that a powerful entity may be looking to thwart sports betting in the state. In his Straight to the Point newsletter, Ruddock did not offer a name.
“I’m hearing rumors that a powerful opponent (powerful enough to kill the initiative at the ballot box) could emerge, so stay tuned to this story.”
So, which powerful person or entity is Ruddock alluding to?
Members of the Walton family fit that description and make a lot of sense. The family, which owns Walmart and its subsidiaries, has ties to Missouri, as the family once lived in Columbia.
While no member of the Walton family has publicly come out in opposition to the initiative, some have contributed to Republican organizations in Missouri, and most of the opposition at the statehouse in Jefferson City has come from GOP lawmakers.
It should be noted, however, that Arkansas, home to the headquarters of Walmart, legalized sports betting five years ago.
Also, Ann Walton Kroenke is married to Stan Kroenke, the billionaire owner of a number of professional sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, and England’s Arsenal F.C. Given that Missouri’s professional sports teams are all on board with legal sports betting, it’s hard to picture a team owner opposing it.
Who else could fight against the initiative?
Whether the Waltons oppose the initiative, there will be vocal opponents. And the vote should be close.
Approval of a sports betting referendum seemed to be a sure thing at the beginning of the year, but surveys in recent months show an equally divided electorate.
Some lawmakers and at least one company doing business in Missouri are excepted to stand up against the proposal.
State Sen. Denny Hoskins
Republican state Sen. Denny Hoskins is a given to oppose the sports betting initiative. The lawmaker most responsible for killing sports betting legislation in the Missouri General Assembly over the last three years has already come out against the proposition.
Hoskins’ opposition lies in his desire to marry the legality of sports wagering with video lottery terminals (VLTs). The self-proclaimed obstructionist has promised to not stop opposing sports betting until VLTs are part of the deal.
While he said he’s “not against putting that question on the ballot,” he has scoffed at the low 10% tax rate in the initiative. He also believes more money from sports betting should go to combatting problem gambling.
He calls the proposal a “golden ticket” for Missouri casinos and professional sports teams in Missouri.
Hoskins is currently running for secretary of state after he termed out of his seat in the Missouri Senate.
Rep. Crystal Wade
While her opposition to sports betting legislation hasn’t been as brisk as Hoskins’, Rep. Crystal Wade shares the same views with the former state senator on VLTs.
In February, Wade filed House Bill 2835, which would have legalized both VLTs and sports betting. Also like Hoskins, she believes the state could make hundreds of millions of dollars more from VLT legalization than from sports betting.
“Caught up in the Republican infighting has also been the illegal video lottery machines popping up in every corner of our state. We need to regulate them. Along with regulation comes a chance to help bring money for law enforcement, our veterans, and our severely underfunded public schools.”
Reps. Michael Davis, Tony Lovasco, and Bill Eigel
A handful of other lawmakers are on record as being against sports betting.
In the 2023 legislative session, House Bill 556 passed through the House with just two “nay” votes. Those came from Reps. Michael Davis and Tony Lovasco.
That same year, state Sen. Bill Eigel filibustered against the sports betting proposal to make sure it would not be legalized.
Torch Electronics
The state’s largest VLT company, Torch Electronics, is working to get its VLTs legalized in Missouri. It has taken to the courts to protect what the company says is its right to operate the slots-like machines.
It has also funded campaigns that support its cause.
Since 2018, Torch has donated more than $900,000 to pro-VLT PACs in Missouri, according to KSDK. Conversely, the regulated portion of Missouri’s gaming industry donated just $227,000 to PACs during the last six years.
