As Missouri heads to the general election polls next week to vote yes or no to legal sports betting, recent geolocation reports reveal millions of Missourians are desperate for a regulated market. 

Aside from Oklahoma, every state bordering Missouri has a legal sports betting market. A GeoComply survey ending Oct 21, 2024 revealed more than 11.1 million geolocation checks were blocked from Missouri-located devices attempting to access legal online sportsbooks in other states.

GeoComply blocked nearly 21,000 geolocation checks from devices in and around Arrowhead Stadium

Of those checks, 37% were trying to get into Kansas sportsbooks, while 57% tried their luck through Illinois. Other GeoComply stats reveal 6,000+ Missourians crossed state lines in Kansas and Illinois to supposedly access sportsbooks. On the opening Monday game of the NFL season between Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, GeoComply blocked nearly 21,000 geolocation checks from devices in and around Arrowhead Stadium.?

Winning for Missouri Education spokesman Jack Cardetti said the numbers were “staggering.”?Cardetti was speaking for the committee promoting Amendment 2 on next Tuesday’s ballot. If voters back the motion at the polls, Missouri will grant 19 and 21 retail and online sports betting licenses, respectively.

Cardetti said the fact millions tried to bet in the first weeks of the NFL meant Missouri was missing out on not legalizing sports betting. “Amendment 2 will legalize sports betting in Missouri and ensure these funds are reinvested back into our communities, particularly in our education system,” he said.