Missouri’s regulated sports betting launch suffers slight delay
Secretary of State Denny Hoskins says planned June launch of market did not meet requirements of “emergency rulemaking designation”
The launch of Missouri’s online sports betting market has been delayed, after Secretary of State Denny Hoskins argued it did not require an emergency law reading.
At the end of January, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) chair, Jan Zimmerman, said the state’s draft sports betting rules were with Governor Mike Kehoe — with a plan to launch the market in the summer of 2025.
However, Hoskins rejected a proposal to speed up the reading of the bill and said the rules shuld proceed through the “standard rulemaking process” which would allow for “public input.”
In comments made to iGaming Business, Hoskins said the regulation of Missouri’s sports betting did not warrant an “emergency rulemaking designation.”
He said: “Proposed emergency rules were intended to address specific aspects of gaming regulations. However, following a thorough review, it was concluded that the matter does not meet the criteria for emergency rulemaking according to Missouri law.”
Per Missouri law, emergency rules may be made, amended, or rescinded without going through the normal steps if the state agency believes there is an immediate danger to public health.
State officials have until December 1, 2025, to regulate its sport betting market, with it now looking like the market will launch in fall — around the start of the NFL season which is due to kick off in September.
The MGC said: “In the absence of emergency rules, our timeline is being pushed back months.
“The Commission will proceed with our proposed licensing rules that were filed at the same time and will become effective August 30, 2025. In the meantime, Commission staff will continue working to ensure we meet the constitutionally required start date of sports wagering not later than December 1, 2025.”
Legalized sports betting was approved in the Show-Me State after Missourians backed Amendment 2 at the voting booth in November.
Upon its launch, Missouri will become the 39th state to launch regulated sports betting.
Several other states have seen their attempts to regulate either sports betting or online casino fail this year, including Indiana, North Dakota, and Hawaii.
However, in New Hampshire, Senator Tim Lang’s SB 168 was amended to reallocate tax revenue to give the legalization of online casino hope of passing this year.