Missouri

Campaigns behind MO abortion, sports betting initiatives confident they’ll get signatures

Published

2 years ago

April 18, 2024

Press Room

Campaigns behind MO abortion, sports betting initiatives confident they’ll get signatures

More than $10 million, much of it from outside the state, has been raised to push proposals for abortion rights, sports wagering and raising the minimum wage.

Rudi Keller
| Missouri Independent/www.missouriindependent.com

Three initiative campaigns say they are on track to submit signatures that would put measures to legalize abortion and sports wagering, and to increase the minimum wage, on Missouri’s ballot this year.

Campaign finance reports filed this week show more than $10 million, much of it from out-of-state organizations, has been raised to fuel the campaigns. Only one opposition group, seeking to prevent abortion rights from making the ballot, is active. And its resources, much of it from Catholic churches, total less than $100,000.

The reports, which were due Monday, show who is backing the ballot measures as campaigns prepare to deliver signatures by May 5. Some campaigns used the deadline to issue public statements showing confidence of success.

When Missourians for Constitutional Freedom announced plans to begin collecting signatures for its abortion rights initiative in mid-January, leaders estimated the campaign would need to raise $5 million to successfully gather enough signatures to make the ballot.

The report filed Monday, covering the first three months of the year, shows the campaign has raised $4.9 million. Additional reports of large contributions filed since April 1 show another $435,000 in contributions.

Of that amount, 3,206 individual Missourians have contributed $1.8 million. Of the top 15 donors, eight are from Missouri and gave $850,000. The seven donors who gave the most, making up more than half the total raised, are national advocacy organizations.

The largest single donor to the campaign is the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a liberal dark money organization based in Washington, D.C., that gave $1 million.

“We’re so grateful to the tens of thousands of Missourians who have chipped in, volunteered, and signed on to fuel our grassroots campaign that will end Missouri’s total abortion ban and put families — not politicians — back in charge of personal medical decisions,” Rachel Sweet, campaign manager, said in a news release.

The abortion rights proposal would amend the state constitution to protect abortion up to the point of fetal viability. It would also protect other reproductive health care, including contraceptive access, if approved by voters.

There were times in 2023 when it seemed like the campaign would fail to launch because of a lengthy court battle over the ballot language. Eventually, the Western District Court of Appeals struck down the ballot language written by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft as “replete with politically partisan language.”

That ruling, however, came only after months of wrangling over whether Attorney General Andrew Bailey could derail the initiative by refusing to certify the fiscal summary.

The opposition group, Missourians Stands With Women, has raised $84,567 to fund its “Decline to Sign” campaign, with $25,000 coming from Catholic dioceses and archdiocese and another $20,000 from Republican committees designed to elect GOP legislators.

The sports wagering campaign, organized by the state’s professional sports teams under the leadership of the St. Louis Cardinals, is being funded entirely by the two largest online sports wagering platforms, FanDuel and DraftKings.

The campaign, under the name Winning for Missouri Education, reported raising $4 million through March 31 and $2.1 since that date. The committee has spent $3.3 million, according to the report filed Monday.

The cost has been shared almost equally between the two online platforms.

The proposal would allow online platforms, major professional sports teams and the state’s licensed casinos to seek a sports wagering license. The net winnings would be taxed at 10%, far less than the 21% tax on money casinos win from patrons.

The revenue, estimated at up to $28.9 million annually, would support education programs.

In a news release Tuesday, the campaign said it had amassed more than 300,000 signatures and will submit at least 325,000 signatures.

“As the campaign approaches our goal of putting this on the November ballot, Missouri is a step closer to allowing Missouri adults to bet on sports, while generating tens of millions in annual funding for our classrooms,” Jack Cardetti, spokesman for the campaign, said in the news release.

Missourians for Healthy Families & Fair Wages, the campaign committee backing the minimum wage increase, reported it raised $540,000 during the first three months of the year and $1.9 million in total donations of both cash and in-kind services.

A large portion of the funding is in-kind donations from the Missouri Jobs with Justice Action. The Sixteen Thirty Fund is another major source of cash, giving $575,000 in 2023. The Fairness Project, another Washington, D.C.-based group that helps run liberal initiative campaigns, has contributed $250,000.

Under the statutory change being proposed, Missouri’s minimum wage, currently $12.30 an hour, would go to $13.75 per hour on Jan. 1 and $15 an hour on Jan. 1, 2026. The last time Missourians voted to increase the minimum wage, in November 2018, it received 62% of the statewide vote.

This year’s proposal would also require employers to give paid sick leave to employees and allow them to use the time off to care for a sick family member or if they need time away from work due to domestic violence issues at home.

“We feel good about the direction we’re headed,” said Joni Wickham, spokeswoman for the campaign.

A St. Louis University/YouGov poll conducted in February found that 44% of voters were ready to vote for the abortion rights proposal after hearing the court-written ballot language. The SLU/YouGov poll also showed 60% of those surveyed said they would vote to legalize sports wagering.

The poll did not include a question about the minimum wage.

The abortion rights and sports wagering proposals would amend the state Constitution and need at least 171,592 signatures from registered voters, spread across six of the state’s eight congressional districts, to make the ballot. The minimum wage increase proposal is a statutory change and needs at least 107,246 signatures to make the ballot.

This story was first published at www.missouriindependent.com.

Source link

Click to comment

Missouri

Missouri sports betting: Everything to know about early sign-up promos and more for 12/1

Published

8 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Missourians are counting down the days to Dec. 1, and it’s not just because they’re looking forward to putting up Christmas trees and playing Mariah Carey on repeat. Missouri online sports betting will be legal on Dec. 1, just in time for the end of the NFL regular season and the College Football Playoff.

Nine mobile sportsbooks are coming to the Show Me State, and that number could reach as high as 14 after sports betting goes live. Some sportsbooks are offering exclusive offers to Missourians who sign up now rather than waiting until Dec. 1. Below, I break down everything you need to know about Missouri sports betting.

Which Missouri sportsbooks will be taking bets at midnight on December 1?

Missouri residents can take their action to nine sportsbooks when wagering markets open on Dec. 1. I recommend joining a few sites and making minimum deposits with each operator. That way, you can get the welcome offers and see which sportsbooks you prefer.

If you go car shopping, do you buy the first car you test drive? Probably not. The same applies to MO sports betting. Here are the sportsbooks that will soon call Missouri home:

BetMGM
DraftKings
Fanatics Sportsbook
FanDuel
bet365
Caesars Sportsbook
Circa Sports
theScore Bet
Underdog

Missouri sports betting early sign-up promos

Some sportsbooks are offering special promos for customers who open an account before Dec. 1. These deals are likely to be better than what will be available on Dec. 1, so it’s worth your time to check them out.

For now, Missouri bettors can create sportsbook accounts and make deposits. That’s all you need to do to claim the MO sports betting early sign-up promos. If you sign up early, you still have to wait until Dec. 1 to place bets. Here’s what’s available to those who want to get a head start:

NOTE: The offers listed below must be claimed before midnight CT on Dec. 1. Sign up today to ensure you don’t forget to register before the deadline.

FanDuel Missouri promo: Claim $400 in bonuses

No FanDuel Missouri promo code is required to claim my favorite MO early sign-up offer. New customers just need to open an account and deposit $5. When the calendar flips to December, place a $5 bet and you’ll automatically receive $300 in bonuses.

FanDuel Missouri also sends a $100 bonus if you sign up early. No action is required to receive the $100 bonus, except to register a new account before Dec. 1.

DraftKings Missouri promo: Get $300 in bonus bets

A DraftKings Missouri promo code isn’t necessary to get an outstanding welcome offer from one of the best sportsbooks in the industry. Create an account today and deposit $5. Then, bet $5 on Dec. 1 to instantly receive $300 in bonuses.

The DraftKings Missouri promo is nearly identical to the FanDuel offer. The difference is that FanDuel provides an extra $100 bonus just for signing up. However, DraftKings is a top option for bettors across the U.S., so don’t bypass the DraftKings MO promo because it’s less valuable.

BetMGM Missouri bonus code MOLOCAL: Up to $1,600 in bonuses

High rollers will appreciate the perks of the BetMGM Missouri bonus code MOLOCAL. It starts with a $100 bonus if you deposit $10 before Dec. 1.

When Missouri sports betting goes live, submit a wager on any market that catches your eye. If the wager loses, BetMGM returns your stake in bonuses. The most you can receive from this portion of the offer is $1,500 in bonuses.

For instance, let’s say you sign up early and bet $100 on Dec. 1. If the bet loses, BetMGM sends a $100 bonus so you can try again.

Fanatics Sportsbook Missouri promo: Up to $3,000 in FanCash

You don’t need a Fanatics Sportsbook Missouri promo code to redeem the most valuable offer of the bunch. In total, Missouri bettors could earn up to $3,000 in FanCash. This offer is more complicated than the rest, so I’ll break it down step-by-step:

Click the Fanatics link above to download the Fanatics app (Fanatics Sportsbook is only available through the app).
Register a new account.
Deposit $50 or more before Dec. 1.
Open the Fanatics app on Dec. 1 to find 15 no-sweat bets in your account.
When a no-sweat bet is applied to a wager, the stake is returned in FanCash if you lose.
Each no-sweat bet returns up to $200 in FanCash.

FanCash is more valuable than the bonuses offered by FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM. FanCash can be redeemed for bonuses or profit boosts. It can also be used as a credit if you buy gear at Fanatics.com.

How to bet on sports in Missouri on Dec. 1

It doesn’t take long to learn the ins and outs of sports betting. However, it may be overwhelming for first-timers. Here are some important terms to know before diving in:

Bonuses: Also known as bonus bets, bonuses are a credit given out by sportsbooks. They can only be used to place wagers and are not withdrawable for cash. If you bet with a bonus and win, you get a cash payout. If you bet with a bonus and lose, you don’t lose real money. Bonuses are a great tool for new sports bettors trying to learn the ropes.
Moneyline: This is the most straightforward bet type at every sportsbook. It requires you to pick which team wins a game. If your team comes out on top, you win the bet. Easy as that.
Spread: This bet type evens the playing field between two teams. For example, the spread in Colts vs. Chiefs is Chiefs -3. If you bet Kansas City to cover the spread, it must win the game by four points or more. If K.C. loses or wins by two points or less, you lose the bet. If the Chiefs win by exactly three points, bets are voided and customers get the stake back.
Over/under: Also known as the total, the over/under asks you to predict the number of points scored in a game. In Colts vs. Chiefs, the total is 50.5. If you take the over, at least 51 points must be scored for your bet to win. If you bet on the under, you need 50 points or fewer to win the bet.
Player props: The bet types listed above involve the performance of each team in a game, while player props relate to the statistical performance of specific players. You could bet Patrick Mahomes to throw over or under 1.5 touchdowns, or Travis Kelce to catch more or less than five passes.

Learn more about our gaming editorial staff.

If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Source link

Missouri

Bench trial begins on Missouri school voucher lawsuit

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Bench trial begins on Missouri school voucher lawsuit

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Cole County judge heard arguments Monday in the first day of a two-day bench trial over a lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of general revenue funds being used for scholarships to help pay for private K-12 education.

The lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of the Missouri chapter of the National Education Association (NEA), was filed in response to appropriations made in House Bill 12. The spending measure included $51 million allocated to the MO Scholars program.

“Missouri NEA firmly believes that this is an unconstitutional action on behalf of the state and the (Missouri) Treasurer’s Office,” Missouri NEA President Rebeka McIntosh said outside of the courthouse. “Public money belongs in public schools, and this money could be used to fund up to a thousand public school teachers for smaller classes and one-on-one instruction.”

CLICK HERE TO READ ARGUMENTS FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI

CLICK HERE TO READ ARGUMENTS FROM MISSOURI NEA

Among remedies being sought, the plaintiffs are asking the court to halt any additional funds from being transferred from general revenue to the MO Scholars program.

The bench trial resumes Tuesday, and it’s not clear when Judge Brian Stumpe will make a ruling on the matter. Most judgements in Missouri aren’t bound by a set timeline for when decisions have to be made.

Source link

Missouri

Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for Nov. 23, 2025

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 23, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Midday: 0-8-9

Midday Wild: 6

Evening: 0-2-6

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Midday: 4-4-8-9

Midday Wild: 7

Evening: 5-5-7-4

Evening Wild: 6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

05-07-49-54-60, Cash Ball: 04

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Early Bird: 04

Morning: 04

Matinee: 03

Prime Time: 15

Night Owl: 01

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

01-06-21-27-34

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link