Missouri’s sports betting launch is delayed until Dec. 1 after the gaming commission confirmed that the licensing process is forcing regulators to push back the date.
As was outlined in the referendum passed last November, the new deadline is the last day before the state must allow licensed sportsbooks to accept wagers. The Missouri Gaming Commission is accepting license applications until Sept. 12.
The referendum legalized both retail and online sports betting. Regulators can award up to 19 licenses and 14 online sports betting licenses.
“It’s our responsibility to make sure everything is done right,” Missouri Gaming Commission Chairman Jan M. Zimmerman told Sports Betting Dime. “We would never want to not do our due diligence, not only with sports betting but with anything we do.
“If somebody ended up being licensed because we didn’t fully investigate, or missed something in the rulemaking, it wouldn’t be right. As disappointing as it may be for some folks that it won’t be until Dec. 1, we’re going to make sure it’s done right.”
Second Time Commission Delayed Launch
The delay comes after Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had previously rejected emergency rulemaking by the gaming commission to speed up the process. That rejection had at least pegged betting to go live by the end of September. The timeline has now been moved back again.
The December launch date has Missouri bettors missing out on much of the NFL and NCAA football seasons. The licensing application period is expected to open by May 15, with the deadline for online applications set for July 15.
Then, online applicants must appear before the commission by Aug. 13, with licenses awarded by Aug. 15.
The commission plans to have all retail and sports betting licenses awarded by Sept. 12, several months before the official launch. Sports betting narrowly passed and set the tax rate at 10% with operators paying a $500,000 licensing fee.
While online licensees won’t be official until the fall, it’s likely Missouri will have bet365 as an option. After announcing a deal with the company, the St. Louis Cardinals landed Missouri’s first sports setting partnership in March.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
