The campaign opposing the Missouri sports betting measure on the November ballot canceled over $1 million in TV ads on Thursday. It came after the group supporting the proposed measure launched new TV ads starring former baseball star Ozzie Smith.
According to The Independent's tracking of broadcaster filings to the Federal Communications Commission, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment reserved almost $4 million worth of television advertising opposing Amendment 2. Some of that advertising, valued at $1.2 million and bought weeks earlier, was removed on Thursday due to cancellation.
According to Brooke Foster, a spokesperson for Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, they withdrew the commercials so that they could focus on personal interactions. Once Missourians approved the amendment in November, becoming a bookie in the state would be possible.
Proposed Missouri Sports Betting Measure
Missouri casinos controlled by Caesars Entertainment have contributed $14.2 million to the committee since its inception on September 10. However, the campaign's promise of over $100 million for education initiatives over the first five years is called into doubt as it capitalizes on uncertainty regarding the use of gaming taxes in the $2.7 million worth of television advertising that did air.
Among Missouri's six licensed casino operators, Caesars is the sole one taking a stand against the ballot initiative. The fact that online gaming platforms might get licenses without establishing a partnership with a casino in Missouri is one thing the corporation doesn't appreciate.
The committee supporting Amendment 2, Winning for Missouri Education, has the most funds of any Missouri ballot measure campaign ever. Contributions totaling $15.8 million have been made by the two largest online bookies, DraftKings and FanDuel. The advertising campaign on television and radio has cost about $10 million thus far. Supporters of sports betting point to the fact that the state constitution of Missouri allocates 100% of the funds collected from gambling taxes to educational initiatives. Jack Cardetti, who represents Winning for Missouri Education, would not elaborate on his reasoning for thinking the advertisements were removed.
Battle of TV Ads
According to a study conducted in August by St. Louis University and YouGov, half of the voters who read the ballot text for Amendment 2 were in favor of sports betting, while thirty percent were against it. Last week, Foster stated that the lead had been shrunk due to the airing of television advertising against Amendment 2, which started in the first week of September.
Professional sports teams have started to show their support for the proposal, and this week, Winning for Missouri Education has boosted the quantity of some of its television purchases. These teams can open retail sports betting sites and offer a branded internet platform.
Those who favor legalizing sports betting in Missouri (Proposition 2 on the November ballot) say the money will go toward school funding. However, some argue that the language is deceptive and that no additional advantages would go to schools.
On this year's general election ballot, voters in Missouri will have the opportunity to decide on Amendment 2, a referendum that would determine the legality of sports gambling in the state. The amendment's backers claim it would improve the state's education budget, while its detractors claim it raises more concerns than it solves. Winning for Missouri Education is the name of the partnership of sports franchises and casino firms pushing the amendment.
According to WagerHome.com sources, seven of the 50 states bordering Missouri in the US have legalized sports betting.
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