Last Tuesday night (05), Americans elected Donald Trump as president for the next four years, but some states also defined measures related to casino and sports betting in the election.
Voters in Petersburg, Virginia, gave the green light for a casino to be built in the city. The proposal was approved by a large majority, 81.5% to 18.5%.
A total of 10,265 votes were cast in favor, compared to 2,325 votes against, according to the secretary of state’s office. Cordish companies have plans and are licensed to build a casino in the city.
Missouri approves online sports betting
Meanwhile, Missourians have legalized online sports betting across the state. The margin was small, about half a percentage point and a margin of 14,000 votes. But in the end, Caesars‘ short-lived opposition campaign did not kill the proposal.
But the company is one of two that operates three land-based casinos in the state. It withdrew $1 million in scheduled television advertising in mid-October.
And last weekend, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) said it interprets Amendment 2 to mean that every casino is entitled to an online gambling license. Previously, stakeholders believed the language of the initiative indicated that each casino company — not the location — would obtain a license.
The battle for legalization in Missouri was long and arduous. Ultimately, it took action from the state’s professional sports teams to get the job done.
Then, voicing his frustration with the years-long legislative impasse, St Louis Cardinals CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. earlier this year led an effort by local professional sports teams to put a proposal on the ballot.
DraftKings and FanDuel get a win
Once approved, DraftKings and FanDuel backed the campaign with more than $40 million, making it the richest initiative campaign in state history. Caesars, the only casino operator to openly oppose the measure, funded a “no” campaign with $14 million.
The victory was the first for digital operators in several years, after losing or retreating in attempts in California and Florida in 2022. Amendment 2 will ultimately allow 22 digital betting platforms in Missouri. Each of the 13 casinos and seven professional sports teams are eligible for licenses.
Additionally, two standalone mobile licenses will be available. There was a chance for one more, but Amendment 5, which would have allowed an additional license for land-based casinos, did not pass.
From there, the MGC will begin the process of promulgating rules and verifying candidates. In most states, gaming commissions take six to twelve months to launch the betting market.
Arkansas rejects construction of a casino
In Arkansas, the population rejected the construction of a casino in Pope City, suspending the license granted to the Cherokee Nation. The measure was approved with a margin of 10%, ending the Cherokee Nation’s plan, which divided opinions and dragged on in court in recent years.
