Hopes for an expedited launch of Missouri sports betting were derailed late Friday when it was learned the Secretary of State’s office denied a request to approve emergency regulations. The Missouri Gaming Commission sent its proposed emergency regulations to Gov. Mike Kehoe on Jan. 27. The plan was to use those rules, which would have taken earlier this month.
However, Rachael Dunn, the communications director for Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, confirmed to BetMissouri.com Monday that the emergency status was rejected and that the proposed regulations will now go through a standard review process.
As it stands now, the state’s sports betting rules are set to take effect on Aug. 30. That’s less than a week before the NFL kicks off its 2025 regular season.
Missouri sports betting must launch no later than Dec. 1 under the state constitutional amendment voters narrowly approved last November.
What Constitutes An Emergency?
Under Missouri state law, the Secretary of State’s office has the right to determine if an emergency declaration for rules is warranted. There are four provisions that must be met. That includes the rules either addressing an “immediate danger” to public safety or preserving “a compelling governmental interest” for the shortened time frame. The emergency request must also “assure fairness” to all parties.
Missouri was not the first state to seek approval of emergency regulations. Iowa, Indiana, Kansas and Kentucky are among the states to enact either emergency or temporary rules. That enabled all of them to approve licenses for sports betting operators before the start of the NFL season, which is typically when sportsbooks report their highest monthly handles. Bookmark our Chiefs Super Bowl Odds page ahead of the launch now.
It remains to be seen how long it will take for the MGC to approve license applications once the rules have been approved. BetMissouri has reached out to the commission for comment on what its staff can do in the meantime while it waits for the rules to take effect.
A Familiar Name
If you’ve been even remotely engaged in the years long process of legalizing sports betting in Missouri, then Denny Hoskins’ name should be familiar to you. As a state senator, he used that chamber’s filibuster rules to block several bills to legalize Missouri betting apps because he backed legalizing video gaming terminals, which the state’s casinos opposed.
Missouri limits individuals to serve no more than eight years, or two full terms, in the Senate, and Hoskins eight years ended last year. He opted to run for Secretary of State on last year’s ballot and won the Republican nomination.
On the Nov. 5 ballot, Hoskins received nearly 1.7 million votes, equaling 57.7% support and beating his Democratic opponents, Barbara Phifer, by more than 520,000 votes, or 18 percentage points, out of 2.9 million. That was the same ballot that included the sports betting amendment, which received nearly 1.5 million votes. It was approved by less than 3,000 votes out of almost 3 million.
So, while sports betting proponents may feel aggravated that Hoskins has stood in the way once again of Missouri sports betting launching sooner rather than later, the same voters who backed the referendum also voted him into the office that oversees the rules process.
Regardless, because voters approved sports betting, Missourians will finally be able to wager on the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Cardinals or any other team legally within their state this year. Whether it’s before Labor Day or after Thanksgiving, there will be a launch, so the currently hangup is only a temporary one.
