Caesars Entertainment has made a significant $4 million contribution to the Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment PAC in an effort to combat a Missouri amendment that would legalize sports betting. The political action committee (PAC) was recently formed to persuade voters to reject the proposal when they head to the polls on November 5.
With this donation, Caesars becomes the first casino company to take a stance on the amendment, which has garnered support from the Sports Betting Alliance PAC composed of BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics Sportsbook, and FanDuel. Contributions from DraftKings and FanDuel alone have reached $9.525 million.
Missouri currently stands as one of the 12 states that have yet to legalize sports betting, with the issue facing political gridlock for the past five years. While a campaign led by potential operators and sports teams was launched three years ago, the new amendment is more restrictive, limiting each operator to a single sports betting skin, even if they possess multiple properties in the state.
The proposal was met with legal challenges questioning its eligibility for a public vote, but after prevailing in court, Missourians will now have the opportunity to voice their opinions. Public opinion on the issue remains divided, with various polls indicating both support and opposition to the legalization of sports betting.
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In conclusion, the battle over the legalization of sports betting in Missouri continues to intensify, with Caesars Entertainment stepping in with a substantial donation to the opposition. The outcome of the upcoming vote on November 5 remains uncertain, with conflicting polls highlighting the divisive nature of the issue. As the debate rages on, stakeholders on both sides are working tirelessly to sway public opinion and secure a favorable outcome for their respective causes.