One day after a seven-hour hearing, a Missouri judge on Friday (6 September) ruled that a ballot initiative that would allow for statewide mobile sports betting will stay on the ballot.
Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel R Green issued his decision Friday afternoon, hours after lawyers submitted proposed judgements. The decision came less than 24 hours after the hearing.
After more than five years of failed attempts at legalising sports betting in the state legislature, voters now get a shot.
The initiative case was one of two ruled on in Cole County Circuit Court on Friday. Amendment 3, which would make abortion legal in the state, was deemed invalid. Judge Christopher Limbaugh made the ruling, which proponents say they will appeal. There is a Tuesday deadline for a decision – which is when ballots are scheduled to be printed.
The wagering initiative, Amendment 2, is one of two gambling proposals Missourians will vote on. Amendment 5, if passed, would allow the state gaming commi..