Missouri sports betting launch delayed

The Secretary of State rejected emergency licensing rules this week.

Missouri sports fans will have to wait longer than anticipated for the state to launch its sports wagering market, according to a recent KCTV local news report.

Commissioner Jan Zimmerman recently said the state could possibly launch its sports betting market by June.

However, players will more than likely have to wait until late summer for the market to open.

Earlier this week, the Missouri Secretary of State’s office rejected emergency licensing rules, the Missouri Gaming Commission said in a statement.

The regulator further commented, “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.”

Voters pulled the lever in favor of a legal market last November after Amendment 2 made it on the general election ballot.

Good to know: Under the terms of Amendment 2, a legal market would need to be in place statewide by December

To get the market in place, the state regulator will need to draft regulations that would later require the Governor and the Secretary of State’s approval.

The gaming commission could then issue gambling licenses after a 30-day public input period has passed.

Currently, 38 states and the District of Columbia offer some form of legal sports betting. The market has grown significantly since the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in May 2018.

Laura Mack

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