Missouri secretary of state (SOS) Denny Hoskins is rejecting the proposed emergency sports betting rules filed by the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC). And the commission says it is pushing the sports betting go-live date to the fall.
Saying that the “the situation does not warrant an ’emergency’ rulemaking designation,” Hoskins told iGB that the “proposed emergency rules were intended to address specific aspects of gaming regulations. However, following a thorough review, it was concluded that the matter does not meet the criteria for emergency rulemaking according to Missouri law.”
Hoskins said the proposed emergency rules, which were sent to Governor Mike Kehoe 27 January, could “proceed through the standard rulemaking process which includes the opportunity for public input.”
Missouri law reads that an emergency rule is only appropriate if there is “immediate danger to public health, safety, or welfare; or the rule is necessary to preserve a compelling governmental interest that requires an early effective date.”
‘Timeline being pushed back months’
By law, the MGC must launch the state’s new legal wagering market by 1 December 2025. But the MGC previously said it was aiming for a June launch.
“On February 20, 2025, the Missouri Gaming Commission received notice from the Missouri Secretary of State that the emergency licensing rules – 11 CSR 45-20.020 through 11 CSR 45-20.130 – were rejected as they do not meet the requirements of Section 536.025, RSMo,” the MGC said in an e-mail to iGB. “In the absence of emergency rules, our timeline is being pushed back months.
“The Commission will proceed with our proposed licensing rules that were filed at the same time and will become effective August 30, 2025. In the meantime, Commission staff will continue working to ensure we meet the constitutionally required start date of sports wagering not later than December 1, 2025.”
Number of skins in question, too?
Besides the response from the SOS, it seems possible that the Missouri attorney general’s office may change the interpretation of the number of skins available to casino companies. Ahead of the November election, the MGC told iGB that the attorney general’s office would interpret the law to mean that one digital skin would be available to each physical casino.
The industry welcomed this interpretation. Caesars Entertainment stood down on its efforts to kill the voter initiative to legalise sports betting.
It had been widely understood that due to the wording of the proposal, land-based casino companies would get the rights to one digital licence per company instead of one per location. This interpretation of the initiative was not attractive to the state’s existing casino operators. Many operate two or more physical locations in Missouri.
But Ryan Butler tweeted 18 February that the interpretation could change.
The attorney general’s office did not respond to an e-mail inquiry from iGB.
Rules must be approved ahead of application process
In general, regulators cannot officially accept applications until rules are approved. In most cases, regulators take between 60-90 days to approve applications.
This would mean that a late summer rules approval would push the opening of the Missouri application process up against the start of the 2025 NFL season. The season is set to open 4 September.
The MGC would still be well within the timeline set out by law.
Hoskins tried to pass betting legislation
Hoskins is a familiar face when it comes to the gambling issue in Missouri. He authored legislation during multiple sessions to legalise sports betting and video lottery terminals. Hoskins wanted the two tied together, but couldn’t garner enough support to move a bill with both. He also filibustered to keep legal sports betting proposals from getting a senate floor vote.
“This decision does not impact the ongoing efforts to review and update the state’s gaming policies,” Hoskins said. “The Secretary of State’s office will continue to collaborate with stakeholders as it moves forward with the rulemaking procedure.”
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/sports-betting/missouri-secretary-state-rejects-emergency-betting-rules/
