SPRINGFIELD, MO (KY3) – A new report from data tracking website GeoComply reveals that Missourians have attempted to make more than 11 million sports bets since football season opened, but have been unable to do so because it remains illegal in the state.

This figure comes as voters are already deciding Amendment 2which would create a legal sports betting market in the state.

The main selling point of the amendment is a 10% tax on this gaming incomemuch of it was pledged to education.

Supporters say it will fill a K-12 funding gapbut opponents are skeptical that the project will provide money for classrooms.

Amendment 2, if passed, would authorize the Missouri Gaming Commission to distribute sports betting. licenses. He limits participation in the game to persons 21 years of age and older.

The auditor’s office estimates that this amendment would generate tax revenues of between $0 million and $29 million annually.

Supporters of the amendment said it was unlikely to be void, especially after the GeoComply report found such widespread enthusiasm, even before legalization.

Skeptics of claims that Amendment 2 would significantly boost school funding say the proposal contains huge holes and lacks clarification on key points.

“There are all sorts of issues that are not outlined in the language that will be presented to voters,” said Traci Gleason, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Budget Project.

Gleason noted, for example, that there is technically no mechanism to collect the tax once it is levied.

While the campaign supporting Amendment 2, Winning for Missouri Education, said in a press release that because the state constitution authorizes the Missouri Department of Revenue to collect taxes generally, it should not not create administrative problems.

Another common criticism regarding Amendment 2’s anticipated impact on education is that state lawmakers are likely to manipulate the state’s education budget by removing a dollar from K-12 funding year for every dollar added by the gambling tax.

“There is nothing stopping the legislature from taking money from other parts of the education budget to offset money generated by the Second Amendment,” said Professor Peverill Squire, a member of the political science faculty at the University of Washington. Missouri.

Below is the question as it will appear on the statewide ballot and ballot title.

Official title of the ballot:

Would you like to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

• allowing the Missouri Gaming Commission to regulate licensed sports betting, including online sports betting, gambling boats, professional sports betting districts, and mobile licenses granted to sports betting operators;
• restrict sports betting to persons physically located in the state and over the age of 21;
• allow license fees prescribed by the Commission and a 10% betting tax on revenues received to be allocated to education after expenses incurred by the Commission and required funding from the Problem Gambling Prevention Fund; And
• allow the general assembly to enact laws consistent with this amendment?
• State government entities estimate one-time costs at $660,000, ongoing annual costs at at least $5.2 million and initial licensing fee revenues at $11.75 million. Since the proposal allows deductions from sports gaming revenue, they estimate unknown tax revenues ranging from 0 to $28.9 million per year. Local governments estimate unknown revenues.

Fair Ballot Language:

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow licensed sports betting regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission and restrict sports betting to persons physically located in the state and over 21 years of age. The amendment includes a 10% betting tax on revenue received. to be awarded to educational institutions in Missouri.

A “no” vote will not change the Missouri Constitution regarding regulated licensed sports betting.

If adopted, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

To report a correction or typo, please send an email [email protected]. Please include item information in the email subject line.

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