MO Govenor candidates agree on sports betting legalization

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – In just over two weeks, Missourians will be electing the state’s 58th governor.

Democratic candidate and Springfield native Crystal Quade will go up against current Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe on the Republican side.

The candidates disagree on most of the big issues but one thing they can agree on is Amendment Two — which would legalize sports betting in the state

“I’m personally not a sports gambler,” Kehoe said. “But, I’m one of those guys that thinks we should have a level playing field. So, I think it’s good for Missouri to open our option up to that.”

“I’m in support of legalization of sports betting,” Quade said. “So, I personally don’t think that government should be not allowing folks to participate in this.”

If Missouri voters say yes to Amendment Two on November 5, the ballot measure says tax money from sports betting will go toward education, but it’s unclear how much.

The tax generated could be as high as $28.9 million but could also be as low as zero.

Republican candidate Mike Kehoe believes the money will be substantial.

“Well, all of the estimates show that there’ll be significant funding that would go into the education funding formula,” Kehoe said.

Democratic hopeful Crystal Quade says the money generated will only go to schools if the right people are elected for the job.

“We’ve seen in years past, like with the Missouri lottery, when we were given empty promises for where this money is going to go,” Quade said. “It’s extremely important that we are electing pro-education, pro-public education, lawmakers and governors and folks who are in these positions who will dictate where that money is going.”

If there is tax money to be made, both candidates say they want it to stay in Missouri instead of going to neighboring states where sports betting is already legal.

“The key here for me is that right now Missourians are going to Kansas, going to Illinois, literally pulling off on the side of the highway to place their bets and then coming back if revenue is being generated from that. F course, I would like that money to go to Missouri,” Quade said.

“I think it’s good for Missouri to open our option up to that and also see the mechanism in there that helps fund some education,” Kehoe said.

The November election is in just 18 days and early voting begins on Tuesday. Make sure you’re keeping with OzarksFirst, your local election headquarters, for the latest on these races.

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