FanDuel and DraftKings Fuel Missouri Sports Betting Campaign with $6.5 Million Contribution
For the third consecutive year, Missouri’s legislature adjourned without passing sports betting legislation. In response, FanDuel and DraftKings have significantly supported a ballot initiative to legalize sports betting through a campaign led by the Winning for Missouri Education Committee.
Financial Backing and Signature Collection
The Winning for Missouri Education Committee reported raising $6.5 million during the current election period, with nearly $6 million spent on gathering signatures.
By the May 5 deadline, the committee submitted 340,000 voter signatures, well above the required 170,000 valid signatures needed to qualify for the November ballot.
FanDuel and DraftKings have been major contributors to the campaign:
January Report: $2 million in cash and $500,000 in in-kind contributions.
March Contributions: An additional $1.5 million.
April Contributions: Another $2.5 million as the deadline approached.
Overall, FanDuel has contributed $4 million in cash and $250,000 in in-kind contributions, while DraftKings has added $2 million in cash and $250,000 in in-kind contributions.
Industry estimates suggest that the campaign could require up to $20 million to succeed.
Campaign Expenditures
The campaign has allocated significant funds to various efforts:
Fieldworks: $5.6 million for signature collection.
Husch Blackwell Strategies: $160,000 for government relations.
Guidant Polling and Strategy: $60,000 for campaign management.
Tightline Public Affairs: $75,000 for communications.
Stinson Law Firm: $11,393 for legal services.
Despite the legislative setbacks, the campaign’s robust funding and strategic expenditure suggest a strong push towards achieving their goal in the upcoming November ballot.
Recommended