Missouri sports betting enthusiasts must wait a few more months before they can gamble on their beloved Chiefs, Royals, Cardinals, and Blues. An emergency rule was rejected by Secretary of State Denny Hoskins that could have seen sports gambling launched in the summer instead of a likely December 1st date.
In November, Missouri voters narrowly approved Amendment 2 which would legalize sports gambling in the Show-me State. With 1.478 million 'Yes' votes the constitutional amendment passed with 50.05%.
Amendment 2 called for sports gambling to start "no later than December 1, 2025". But the state's gaming commission sought to push that date up by filling for an emergency rule.
Why Was It Denied?
Hoskins stated that the request for an emergency rule was denied because: "the standard rulemaking process is more than capable of achieving the desired outcome within the necessary time frame.”
The standard process involves a 30-day hearing period during which the public can comment on the proposed amendment. Hoskins believed that process could see sports gambling go live by September 30, 2025.
Amendment 2 allows all 13 casinos, every major Missouri sports team, and two online books to receive a license. Per Missouri's Gaming Commission Executive Director Michael Leara, every applicant, including vendors and employees for retail sites must go through a licensing investigation.
With the emergency rule denied, the commission must proceed stating: "We’re going to make it one way or another, but we will make it."
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