Despite massive public anticipation, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) announced that the state’s sports betting launch will be pushed back to the fall of 2025. This follows statements from Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ rejection of the proposed emergency rules and regulations surrounding sports betting in mid-February. According to Hoskins, there are no grounds to approve such emergency rulings, which should only be entertained in more dire circumstances, like if there are widespread health and safety concerns.
This news disappoints many locals who were initially hoping to be able to partake in sports betting by the summer, especially considering that Missouri is home to some of the biggest sporting communities in the country. Notably, the state’s Kansas City Chiefs is one of the most
dominant and beloved NFL teams. Out of the five most-watched NFL games in the 2024 season, the Chiefs played in three of them. That said, there is still a chance that sports betting will get established within the year.
The sports betting landscape in the US The American Gaming Association’s recent annual reports reveal that overall revenue in sports
betting is steadily increasing, with all-time high records even hitting $10.92 billion in a single year. This is a result of the increased legalization of sports betting and the introduction of more accessible sports betting platforms. In terms of the former, sports betting is now legal in 39 states.
Consequently, this has allowed more people to participate in betting from the comfort of their own home state rather than having to cross state lines, as was the norm for more dedicated sports betting fanatics a few years ago.
Meanwhile, there are loads more online sports betting operators offering more nuanced services. This is evident in the leading crypto-betting platform Thunderpick, which is known for token-backed transactions across various sports betting markets. This includes major American sports leagues, like the NFL and NBA, where patrons can use cryptos like Bitcoin and Tether for fast, fee-free withdrawals and deposits. As a result, users now have more control over their bankroll and time-sensitive wagers. Overall, these variables have helped increase sports betting penetration nationwide, with as many as 37% of the population participating.
A closer look at sports betting in Missouri
It’s important to note that although its summer launch has been delayed, sports betting is already legal in Missouri. This is actually a fairly recent legislative turnout, following the approval of Amendment 2 just last November. The campaign that helped push for sports betting to be legalized was actually largely backed by a number of major casino and betting stakeholders. For instance, popular gambling company DraftKings is one such party that helped put together an impressive $41 million. Currently, the operator is allowed to provide fantasy sports games in the state.
What is yet to be set, though, is the formal creation of sports betting rules, which Hoskins says will go through the more standard process of taking in public input. Additionally, this delays the application and then approval of licenses for interested sports betting operators. Those who support stalling the launch state that this ensures there is enough time for the gaming commission to study the frameworks of other states’ sports betting protocols to see what works and what doesn’t.
It is worth noting that the approval of emergency rules and regulations for sports betting is not new among other states and is a recognized approach that better ensures hitting ideal launch dates. In this case, many proponents in Missouri were hoping that a summer launch would allow bettors and betting companies enough time to participate in the opening of the football season in August. Regardless, though, Missouri is statutorily required to launch sports betting by December 1, 2025.
Why supporters are pushing for sports betting’s launch The biggest draw that sports betting’s champions highlight is the tax revenue that it can bring a state. In Missouri, part of the earlier mentioned Amendment 2 states that a 10% wagering tax on earnings will be implemented among sports betting operators. This money will then go toward funding state projects, like public education and relevant treatment and recovery initiatives.
Additionally, sports betting can help support sporting events. For instance, Super Bowl 59 set viewership records. At one point, peak viewership even hit 137.7 million during the second quarter. Considering that the Super Bowl is the most popular sports betting event in the country, it’s safe to assume a large chunk of the audience are bettors themselves. Naturally, should even a small iota of this kind of widespread support and attention be turned to other sports or leagues, it can help that sector flourish and open opportunities for budding talents. For Missourians, this can result in more jobs across different industries, ranging from professional sports to tourism and
hospitality.
