Talking to early voters in Clay County, the winds seem to favor a yes vote on Amendment 2. But the reasons to vote for or against legalizing sports gambling in Missouri ran the gamut.
Clay County resident Lucas Waldren was among those early voters who checked yes on Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting in Missouri and tax gross gaming revenue at 10%.
The money would be earmarked for education, according to the amendment’s text .
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“Education would be the reason why,” Waldren said in explaining his vote. “Our teachers deserve more money, deserve to be paid better, so I’m going to do what I can to help with that.”
KSHB 41 Other Clay County voters simply thought it was time for Missouri to capture tax revenue it’s currently losing to neighboring states.
“I voted yes because I want the money to stay within the state of Missouri and not to go over to Kansas,” LaTasha McBride said.
Seven of Missouri’s eight neighboring states already allow sports gambling, including Kansas. Oklahoma is the lone holdout.