The Launch of Missouri Sports Betting Apps Hit A Snag

Missouri’s long-awaited entry into the legalized sports betting market has hit yet another snag, pushing back the anticipated launch from a promising summer timeline to at least the fall of 2025. Initially, there was optimism that the state could have Missouri online sportsbooks and betting apps operational by June or July, a prospect that had excited sports fans eager to place legal wagers on their favorite teams. However, a recent decision by the Missouri Secretary of State’s office to reject the Missouri Gaming Commission’s proposed “emergency” rules has thrown a wrench into those plans, leaving bettors in the Show Me State sidelined for months longer than expected.

The journey to this point has been a rollercoaster. In November 2024, Missouri voters narrowly passed Amendment 2, a ballot initiative championed by the state’s professional sports teams and major betting operators like DraftKings and FanDuel. The measure, which squeaked by with less than a 1% margin, amended the state constitution to permit both retail and mobile sports betting. It was a hard-fought victory after years of legislative gridlock, notably due to opposition from figures like State Senator Denny Hoskins, who had previously stalled efforts to legalize the industry. The amendment set a deadline of December 1, 2025, for the Gaming Commission to have sports betting fully operational, but regulators had hoped to fast-track the process with emergency rules to capitalize on summer sports enthusiasm.

Use of Emergency Rules Hit A Wall

Those hopes were dashed when the Secretary of State’s office declined to approve the expedited regulations last week. Without this accelerated approval, the standard rulemaking process kicks in, which includes a mandatory 30-day public comment period and further reviews. Consequently, the rules are now projected to take effect no earlier than August 30, 2025, delaying the launch of sportsbooks until at least late summer or early fall. This setback is particularly frustrating given the timing—just missing the start of the 2025 NFL season on September 4, a prime opportunity for generating significant betting revenue, especially with the Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off a Super Bowl appearance, drawing national attention.

Football Season Will Have Legal Betting

The delay raises questions about missed economic opportunities. Neighboring states like Illinois have already reaped tax benefits from legal sports betting, while Missourians have been crossing borders to place bets, a phenomenon local businesses have noted anecdotally. The Gaming Commission remains committed to a thorough rollout, ensuring all licenses, for operators, IT staff, and even individual workers are issued simultaneously to avoid a staggered start. Major players like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and others are poised to enter the market, with plans for both online platforms and retail locations at casinos and stadiums.

For Missouri sports fans, the wait continues to test their patience. The promise of betting legally from their couches rather than driving to Illinois parking lots remains tantalizingly out of reach. While the December 1 deadline ensures a launch will happen this year, the delay underscores the complexities of turning voter approval into operational reality. As the state navigates this regulatory hiccup, the focus shifts to whether Missouri can still salvage a piece of the lucrative NFL season, or if this latest chapter in its sports betting saga will leave it playing catch-up once again.