The beginning of sports gambling in Missouri will be later than expected. Here’s why
Sports fans will have to wait months longer than previously expected to bet on the Kansas City Royals or Chiefs in Missouri.
The state’s new sports betting system is unlikely to be set up by the first NFL game Sept. 4. Missourians will have to wait until later in the fall to place their first bets, according to Jan Zimmerman, chair of the Missouri Gaming Commission. Gambling has to be in place by Dec. 1, according to the ballot initiative narrowly approved by voters in November 2024.
Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins recently rejected an emergency rules request from the commission, a move that delays the timeline of instituting the regulations.
Under Missouri law, an emergency rule can become effective earlier if it poses “an immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare” or preserves “a compelling governmental interest.” The state currently has emergency rules for funeral license fees, health care policies and interest rates.
Gaming companies will now have to wait until late August to submit their application for licenses and hire employees, instead of early March, according to Zimmerman. Once regulations are in place, the commission can start accepting applications for licenses for casinos and individual employees who work closely with sports gambling operations. The casino and online licenses will involve an in-person investigation by the Missouri Highway Patrol, which will take some time.
In early January, Zimmerman told The Star that they had hoped operations would be up and running in the Show Me State by mid- to late summer.
Draft Kings, Fan Duel and other online gaming companies have to be licensed in Missouri in order to operate sports betting operations in the state, just like casinos and sports teams.
The proposed regulations are available on the Missouri Gaming Commission website.
Have more questions about sporting betting in Missouri? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published February 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM.
