Three Missouri Gubernatorial Candidates Express Support for Legal Sports Betting

Proponents of sports betting in the Show-Me State got some great news in a recent gubernatorial debate.

Three of the four candidates running to become the Governor of Missouri shared their support for a sports betting ballot initiative that would legalize sports betting in Missouri. The final decision on the topic will be left up to Missouri voters when they vote in November.

The three candidates to express their support were Democrat Crystal Quade, Republican Mike Kehoe, and Libertarian Bill Slantz. Quada and Kehoe focused on the benefits for the state’s public schools as a reason for legalizing the industry. They shared concerns about the amount of money spent by Missouri bettors across the state’s borders, costing the state millions in potential revenue.

“We are honored that the two leading candidates to be Missouri’s next chief executive both endorse legalizing sports betting as a new permanent, dedicated funding source for our classrooms and plan to vote yes on Amendment 2,” Winning for Missouri Education spokesperson Jack Cardetti said in a press release after the debate. 

Unsurprisingly, Libertarian Slantz did not approve of using tax revenue to support the state’s education system, but he did pledge support for the amendment being considered. 

Support a Good Sign for Ballot Initiative

Many polls have given contradictory results as to the support legal sports betting has among Missouri residents. While many believe the initiative will succeed, opponents are spending a lot of money to encourage voters to reject the amendment. Those opponents include Caesars, which surprised many voters.

While the opposition remains a concern for industry proponents, the support of three gubernatorial candidates carries a lot of weight. All three candidates have a strong influence over their voters, and their support could help convince them to vote in favor of legalizing the industry.

In addition, the support of the top three candidates shows that they believe most voters support the effort. Politicians rarely agree on anything these days, making their unity on the topic unique.

Update: Sports betting in Missouri is legal as of December 1, 2025. Follow our link to find the best Missouri sportsbook bonuses available today.