Early MO voters cite education and revenue going to KS to support sports gambling

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Speaking to early voters in Clay County, the winds appear to be favoring a yes vote on Amendment 2. But the reasons for voting for or against legalizing sports gambling in Missouri 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 revenue at 10%.

The money would be intended for education, according to the text of the amendment.

“Education would be the reason for this,” Waldren said in explaining his vote. “Our teachers deserve more money, deserve to be paid better, so I’m going to do what I can to help with that.”

Other voters in Clay County simply thought it was time for Missouri to collect the tax revenue it currently loses to neighboring states.

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

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

Sports gambling card — Seven of Missouri’s eight border states already allow sports gambling, including Kansas, among the 38 states plus Washington DC that will allow gambling as of October 29, 2024. Oklahoma is the lone holdout among the Show-Me State’s neighbors.

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

“It just made sense for the money from taxes to go to schools,” said Clay County resident Ryan Ault. “That’s a good thing, and people still cross the border for it. You might as well keep that money here in the state.”

Of course, not all voters agreed with Amendment 2.

“I just don’t think gambling is the way to make money at anything,” said Clay County resident JoAnne Thrap. “There are a lot of negative aspects to gambling, that’s not what we want.”

Thrap voted no, but the other non-gamblers — Waldren, McBride and Ault, who said they don’t bet on sports — seemed inclined to support Amendment 2.

“Sports gambling is not something I personally care about, so it’s more of an educational part of it,” Waldren reiterated.

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

“I hardly watch sports,” McBride said. “But then again, I feel like people in other areas are gambling illegally anyway, so why not make it legal everywhere. Then you have more control over it than if you don’t make it legal.”

Ault agreed: “People will do it anyway. I don’t think you can legislate vice itself. … If people are going to other states, you might as well keep that money here that goes back to schools so schools can benefit.”

A yes vote on Amendment 2 would legalize sports gambling in Missouri, while a no vote would keep things the same.

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