The first voters of the MO cite education, and the proceeds go to the SC to support sports gambling

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Based on conversations with early voters in Clay County, the wind appears to be favoring a “yes” vote on Amendment 2. But the reasons for voting for or against legalizing sports gambling in Missouri were varied. .

Clay County resident Lucas Waldren was one of the first voters to check “yes” on Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting in Missouri and tax gross gaming income at 10%.

The money will be spent on education, in accordance with the content of the amendment.

“The reason would be education,” Waldren said, explaining his vote. “Our teachers deserve more money and better pay, so I will do what I can to help them.”

Other Clay County voters simply felt it was time for Missouri to capture the tax revenue it was currently losing to neighboring states.

“I voted yes because I want the money to stay in the state of Missouri and not go to Kansas,” LaTasha McBride said.

Seven of Missouri’s eight neighboring states, including Kansas, already allow sports gambling. Oklahoma is the only holdout.

Sports gambling map — Seven of Missouri’s eight border states already allow sports gambling, including Kansas, among the 38 states, and Washington, D.C., which has allowed gambling as of Oct. 29, 2024. Oklahoma is the only holdout among the Show-Me State’s neighbors.

If Amendment 2 passes, Missouri will become the 39th state to legalize sports betting.

“It makes sense that tax dollars would go to help schools,” said Clay County resident Ryan Ault. “It’s good, but people still cross the border to do it. You might as well keep that money here in the state.

Of course, not all voters supported Amendment 2.

“I just don’t think gambling is a way to make an income for anything,” said JoAnne Thrap, a Clay County resident. “Gambling has many disadvantages and that is not what we want.”

Thrap voted “no,” but the remaining non-gamblers – Waldren, McBride and Ault, who said they did not bet on sports – seemed inclined to support Amendment 2.

“Sports gambling is not something that interests me personally, so it is more of an educational nature,” Waldren repeated.

But if people are going to do it anyway, it might as well benefit Missouri.

“I barely watch sports,” McBride said. “But again, I feel like people were playing illegally in other areas anyway, so why not make it legal everywhere. Then you can control it more than if you didn’t make it legal.

Ault agreed: “People are going to do it no matter what. I don’t think you can legislate for a misdemeanor as such. … If people are going to go to other states, you might as well keep the money that comes back to the schools here so that the schools can use it.”

A yes vote on Amendment 2 would legalize sports gambling in Missouri, while a no vote would keep things as they are.

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KSHB 41 reporter Tod Palmer covers sports business and eastern Jackson County. Share your story idea with Tod.