Voters from Missouri voted to approve sports betting in February, in a development that will see the state join other US gaming markets with legalized wagering.
While initial expectations suggested potential delays, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) has now provided a timeline for the application process, inviting operators to submit their license applications by May 15, with the submission window being open until the 30th of August.
According to the MGC, this timeframe will allow regulators enough time to review applications and ensure compliance before officially launching the market.
Moreover, the Missouri Commission said that if all goes smoothly, its residents could be placing their first legal bets by December 1 at the latest, with the MGC urging potential operators to begin gathering the necessary documentation in preparation for the licensing process.
The legalization attempt received strong support from major local sports teams, including the NFL Kansas City Chiefs and the MLB Kansas City Royals.
However, all plans for a speedy rollout and official start were derailed when the Missouri Secretary of State’s office rejected emergency licensing rules, consequently delaying the process by several months.
Under Missouri’s regulatory framework, sportsbooks will be taxed at a rate of 10%, and licensing opportunities will include 13 riverboat casinos, six professional sports teams, and two standalone sportsbook licenses.
In addition to sports betting, Missouri lawmakers are also considering a proposal to regulate video lottery terminals (VLTs).
This move aims to replace the widely controversial “no-chance machines,” which are quite common throughout the state, who, unlike traditional gaming devices that use random number generators, rely on predetermined outcomes.
Consequently, the proposed regulation would place VLTs under the jurisdiction of the MGC, thus ensuring stricter controls and a revised fee structure. According to experts, this transition could provide greater consumer protection and additional revenue for the state of Missouri.
