Missouri sports betting delayed until August after secretary of state rejects emergency rule
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missourians will not be able to start betting on sports as soon as was originally planned.
A spokesperson for the Missouri Gaming Commission told ABC 17 News that the commission was made aware on Thursday that Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had rejected the commission's emergency licensing rules.
The decision now pushes the timeline for launching sports betting in the state to Aug. 30, 2025.
The commission had previously said it hoped to open sports betting by the late summer.
A spokesperson for the Secretary of State's Office says the emergency rule proposed by the MGC was rejected because they were "lacking emergency qualifications."
Under Missouri law, an emergency rule can be made if the state find "an immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare requires emergency action or the rule is necessary to preserve a compelling governmental interest that requires an early effective date."
While Missouri residents will now have to wait a few extra months to officially begin placing their bets, there is some good news for those eager to do so.
When Amendment 2 was passed by voters on Nov. 5, the measure stated that the MGC will have to license and regulate sports betting in Missouri by no later than Dec. 1, 2025. Meaning, that the state of Missouri is legally required to launch sports betting by then.
"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," a statement from MGC spokeswoman Elizabeth Hoffman said.
A statement sent to ABC 17 News from Hoskins states he favors the standard rule making process, arguing the rules could be made effective way ahead of the Dec. 1 on Sept. 30. For that reason, Hoskin said he sees no legitimate reason to not use the standard process, which allows for public comment.
"Missouri’s residents are asking for clarity, transparency, and a fair opportunity to contribute to the discussion on how sports betting will shape our state’s future. The public’s right to know and to participate in this process should not be sidelined in favor of expediency," the statement said.
The statement also says the proposed rules will be published in the Missouri Register on March 17, 2025.
Public comment will then run through at least April 17, allowing people to raise concerns. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules will then review the rules for an additional 30 days and the rules will be published into the Code of State Regulations by August.
The ballot language under Amendment 2 says 10% of wagering tax revenue received would go toward public schools across the state. Missouri also must allocate at least $5 million in licensing fees and taxes to problem gambling programs in the state.
