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Missouri’s secretary of state has rejected the emergency status for sports betting rules put forward by the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC), effectively delaying the regulated market rollout till fall.
Sports betting was supposed to go live by June, just in time for the new NFL season, but the Commission has announced that the secretary of state’s decision has forced it to delay the launch.
Commenting on the decision, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins stated to the IGB that the situation did not warrant an emergency rulemaking designation. “(the) 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,” he said.
The proposed emergency rules were sent to Governor Mike Kehoe on 27 January and Hoskins has stated that they could “proceed through the standard rulemaking process, which includes the opportunity for public input”.
According to Missouri law, an emergency rule is only appropriate if there is “immediate danger to public health, safety, or welfare; or the rule is necessary to preserve a compelling governmental interest that requires an early effective date.”
MGC Has Till December 2025
The MGC had set an initial June 2025 launch date despite, however, the state had a clear deadline that sports betting must go live by December 1 2025. Following the SOS rejection, the commission confirmed that its proposed licensing rules would now take effect from August 30, 2025. It was filed with the emergency rule, which was discarded.
“In the absence of emergency rules, our timeline is being pushed back months,” the MGC stated in email sent to the IGB. It also announced that it is working tirelessly towards meeting the state’s deadline. “Commission staff will continue working to ensure we meet the constitutionally required start date of sports wagering not later than 1 December 2025.”
Number of Skins Issue Could Complicate Rollout
Aside from the SOS decision, there are reports that the Missouri attorney general’s office may reconsider how many digital betting licenses, or “skins,” casino operators should be allowed. This potential shift could complicate the rollout of sports betting in the state.
Before the election last November, the MGC interpreted the law to grant one digital skin per physical casino. This was welcomed by the industry, who had been concerned about the implications of the proposal’s wording. Many believed that the original intent was to grant one digital license per company rather than per location.
Caesars Entertainment, which was very eager to block legalization efforts in the state, stopped its efforts after this clarification.
While the Missouri attorney general’s office is yet to confirm this report, industry analyst Ryan Butler reports that state regulators have spoken to news outlets about the office reviewing ballot measure language that approved sports betting to determine license eligibility.
Operators Might Start Applying in September
According to Missouri legislation, the MGC cannot begin reviewing license applications until the new rules are finalized. Typically, the review process for applications takes between 60 to 90 days.
With a potential late approval in August, the application window may coincide with the start of the 2025 NFL season, which kicks off on September 4th. However, even with the delays, the MGC is still within the timeline set by the state.
Hoskins continues to be deeply involved in the state’s gambling policies. He had previously filed multiple proposals seeking to legalize video lottery terminals (VLTs) and sports betting together, but they have failed to gain support. This has led him to stall sports betting bills from other lawmakers in an attempt to push his own.
Speaking on his Friday decisions, the Secretary of State defended his rejection of the emergency rule, stating, “This decision does not impact the ongoing efforts to review and update the state’s gaming policies. The secretary of state’s office will continue to collaborate with stakeholders as it moves forward with the rulemaking procedure.”
Source: iGamingBusiness
