A contribution notice published Monday (October 7) by the Missouri Ethics Commission (MEC) reveals that FanDuel has committed a further $5 million to the Winning for Missouri Education campaign in support of Amendment 2.
On the same day, the MEC reported Caesars Entertainment made a $3.3 million donation of its own. Under the name Tropicana St Louis, Caesars’ funding goes towards the opposing group, the Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment (MADOGA). The Reno-based hotel and casino company has now donated over $14 million to prevent legal sports betting in Missouri.
These latest contributions come less than a week after DraftKings donated another $5 million to the campaign for Missouri sports betting. To date, FanDuel has contributed over $15 million, with combined donations from FanDuel and DraftKings now exceeding $31.5 million.
Competing campaigns
The Winning for Missouri Education committee was formed in January, arguing that sports betting tax revenue would provide benefits for public education in the state.
A recent study revealed that sports betting could generate $105 million in tax revenue over the first five years. The campaign has also received the support of various Missouri sports teams, such as the Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Current, and St. Louis City SC.
Since FanDuel and DraftKings made their first contributions of $250,000 earlier this year, the companies have continued to match each other's donations, which have gradually increased.
Meanwhile, MADOGA was created in September and was quickly backed by Caesars, which made its first donation within a few days of launch.
Both campaigns are running TV advertisements in the state, funded by the gambling companies’ contributions. While the Winning for Missouri Education’s “Teacher Pay” ad argues that the money would support state schools, MADOGA’s “False Claims” ad says there is no guarantee the tax revenue will be directed to education.
Election day approaches
The countdown is now on until Nov. 5, when Missourians will vote in the presidential election and decide the fate of Amendment 2 via a “yes” or “no” vote. If approved, Missouri will become the 39th state to legalize sports betting since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018.
The Amendment would allow both online and retail sports betting, with each sports team and land-based casino in the state eligible for one online and one retail sports betting license. In addition, two untethered licenses would be available, enabling up to 21 online sportsbooks and 19 retail sportsbooks to operate.
While Caesars has not publicly explained its support for MADOGA, it's likely tied to the untethered licenses, which would allow DraftKings and FanDuel to launch without needing a land-based casino in the state. Caesars doesn't oppose sports betting – the company owns and operates a sportsbook, after all – but it may seek alternative legislation that limits competition from online-only operators.
