Missouri Finally Sets Launch Date for Sports Betting

Residents in the Show-Me will be finally be able to bet on sports this winter.

The Missouri Gaming Commission has announced that the state’s sports betting market will go live on December 1. That is also the deadline set by the new sports betting bill, meaning it cannot be pushed or delayed.

Some lawmakers pushed for an emergency order to launch the industry over the summer and avoid bumping up against the deadline. However, Secretary of State Denny Hoskins refused the request, stating that it did not rise to the level of an emergency.

The good news is that a timeline is beginning to take shape. The MGC has opened the application period for sportsbook operators, with 19 retail and 21 mobile licenses available. The period will last until August 30, giving the regulator three months to review and award the licenses.

The market is expected to attract considerable interest from online sportsbooks. Missouri represents a large Midwest market, and its 10% operator tax rate is one of the lowest in the country.

Is the Launch Date in Danger?

We have seen many states forced to push their launch dates after delays inevitably popped up. Unfortunately, that won’t be an option for the Show-Me state, which has some people concerned that sports betting may be far from guaranteed.

Missouri voters voted to legalize the industry, but only by a razor-thin margin. That means about half the state is opposed to sports betting. If the deadline is missed and a new bill or vote is needed, the microscopic advantage for supporters could disappear.

Sports betting also has a high-ranking government opponent in Hoskins. He led several filibusters to prevent the industry from becoming legal for several years. Reports were that he wanted to expand any sports betting bill to include Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) and would defeat any proposal that didn’t include them.

With almost half the population against the industry and Hoskins unwilling to make the effort any further, don’t expect proponents to get help if delays rise before December 1.