Missouri wagering rules won’t be approved before summer

On February 21, 2025, the Missouri Secretary of State, Denny Hoskins, announced the rejection of the proposed “emergency” status for new sports betting regulations. This decision is expected to delay the anticipated June launch of Missouri’s sports betting market until the fall of 2025.

In a statement to iGaming Business (iGB), Secretary Hoskins clarified that the emergency rules submitted by the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) did not meet the necessary criteria for urgent implementation under Missouri law. He emphasized, “The proposed emergency rules were meant to address specific elements of gaming regulation. However, after a comprehensive review, it was determined that the situation does not warrant an emergency rulemaking designation.”

These proposed rules were submitted to Governor Mike Kehoe on January 27, 2025, and Hoskins noted that they can now proceed through the standard rulemaking process, which includes public consultation. According to Missouri law, emergency rulemaking is permissible only when there is a significant threat to public health, safety, or welfare, or when a compelling governmental interest necessitates an expedited effective date.

Delayed Timeline for Sports Betting Launch

The MGC is legally mandated to launch Missouri’s new sports wagering market by December 1, 2025. However, this most recent development indicates a shift from the original goal of a June launch. In an email to iGB, the MGC stated, “On February 20, 2025, we were notified by the Secretary of State that the emergency licensing rules, specifically 11 CSR 45-20.020 through 11 CSR 45-20.130, were rejected based on Section 536.025 of RSMo. Consequently, our timeline has been pushed back by several months.”

The commission indicated they will now focus on the proposed licensing rules filed concurrently, which are set to take effect on August 30, 2025. MGC officials are committed to ensuring the state meets the constitutionally mandated deadline for launching sports wagering no later than December 1, 2025.

Potential Changes in Licensing Interpretations

In addition to the emergency rule rejection, there is speculation about potential changes regarding the number of digital “skins” available to casinos in Missouri. Ahead of the upcoming November election, the MGC communicated to iGB that the attorney general’s office would interpret the current law to permit one digital skin per physical casino. This interpretation was initially welcomed by the industry, prompting Caesars Entertainment to withdraw its efforts aimed at opposing the voter initiative that legalized sports betting.

However, this understanding faced scrutiny, as it was initially perceived that each land-based casino company would be granted one digital license per entity rather than per location. This limitation proved unappealing to several existing Missouri casino operators, many of whom manage multiple physical venues.

On February 18, 2025, industry analyst Ryan Butler expressed uncertainty about the licensing landscape via Twitter, stating, “It’s unclear if Missouri could have up to 14 or 21 potential mobile sportsbooks; state regulators are reviewing the ballot measure language to determine eligibility for licenses.”

The Missouri attorney general’s office has yet to respond to inquiries seeking clarification on this matter.

Rules Approval Essential for Application Process

Prior to launching the application process for licenses, all regulatory rules must be formally approved. Typically, regulators take between 60 to 90 days to process applications for gaming licenses. A potential delay in rule approval until late summer could coincide with the beginning of the 2025 NFL season, slated for September 4.

Despite the setbacks, the MGC remains confident that they will adhere to the established legal timeline.

Ongoing Legislative Efforts

Secretary Hoskins has been a prominent figure in the ongoing discussion surrounding gambling legislation in Missouri. He has previously authored multiple bills to legalize both sports betting and video lottery terminals, though attempts to link the two initiatives have faced challenges due to a lack of legislative support. Notably, he has also engaged in filibustering to prevent legal sports betting proposals from reaching a senate vote.

Despite the latest developments, Hoskins asserted that the current decision does not hinder ongoing reviews and updates of the state’s gaming policies, stating, “The secretary of state’s office will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to advance the rulemaking process.”