Sports betting is foxwoods military discountset to begin in Missouri during the fall, but it is “awfully hopeful” to think it will start in time for the World Series in October, the state’s top gaming regulator says.
Jan Zimmerman, who chairs the Missouri Gaming Commission, told Gambling.com on Thursday the process to approve Missouri sports betting operators like DraftKings and FanDuel can’t begin under regular rules until Aug. 30.
That means bettors in Missouri won’t be able to wager legally on NFL preseason and early regular season games—and perhaps not the World Series. Currently, sports betting is legal in every state bordering Missouri, except Oklahoma.
In Missouri, home to the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals, Major League Baseball is highly popular. The MLB regular season ends Sept. 28, followed by the playoffs and World Series.
The NFL also is popular in Missouri, where the Kansas City Chiefs, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, pictured, have won recent Super Bowls and enjoy an enthusiastic fan base. Around the nation, NFL games usually are the most heavily wagered sporting events on a week-to-week basis. This year’s preseason begins July 31 with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The teams have not been announced.
The NFL is expected to release the 2025 regular season schedule for each team soon. Those games begin in September. During that month, Missouri officials will go through the licensing process, which takes time to address correctly, Zimmerman said.
“I wouldn’t say that we were going to be able to do this by September because that’s just too soon for rules to go live,” Zimmerman said, adding that it is “awfully hopeful” to think the sports betting launch will occur in time for the World Series beginning in October.
Under a ballot measure Missouri voters approved last November, sports betting is required to begin in Missouri by Dec. 1, 2025. Once bettors are allowed to wager, they will be able to use cellphones and also bet in person at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
The Gaming Commission had hoped wagering could begin in June under emergency rules. However, Secretary of State Denny Hoskinsrecently said the emergency rules do not apply in this case. His prepared statement, issued this week, is included in full below.
Zimmerman said once sports betting is up and running, Missourians “won’t remember that anxious time” between the anticipated start of sports betting and the actual fall launch.
“The most important thing is we get it right,” she said.
"Missouri’s proposed sportsbook regulations have sparked considerable debate and interest, particularly with claims that the state could generate up to $50 million annually for education from sportsbook revenue. These advertisements, promoting the benefits of legalized sports betting, have stirred excitement. Still, they’ve also raised important questions that demand transparency and public input.
"While the Missouri Gaming Commission initially cited a December 1, 2025, deadline as the reason for emergency rulemaking, the reality is that the rules do not meet the criteria for emergency action under RSMo 536.025. As such, the state must move forward with the regular rulemaking process, including a public comment period, review by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), and filing permanent rules. This process ensures the people of Missouri are appropriately informed and have a say in the final decisions.
"First and foremost, we must question the notion that these rules constitute an emergency, due to the high threshold defined in RSMo 536.025. The standard rulemaking process is more than capable of achieving the desired outcome within the necessary time frame. In fact, under the proper procedure, the proposed rules could be effective by September 30, 2025—well ahead of the December 1 deadline. This confirms that there is no legitimate justification for bypassing the standard rulemaking process, which is designed to give the public the chance to weigh in on decisions that affect them.
"Missouri residents deserve to be part of the conversation. Several Missourians have already reached out to the Secretary of State’s Office, voicing concerns and requesting an opportunity for public input. They are right to demand transparency—especially considering the striking discrepancies between the projected sportsbook revenue and what is actually forecasted in the state’s fiscal budget. While some pro-sportsbook advertisements promise up to $50 million annually for education, the fiscal note in House Bill 2 (page 39) projects less than $1.1 million in sportsbook tax revenue for FY 2026, assuming a summer start date.
"This gap raises critical questions about the actual economic impact of sportsbooks and whether the state’s residents are being provided with accurate information.
"The rulemaking process, as it stands, is designed to give the public the chance to provide feedback on these crucial issues. The proposed rules will be published in the Missouri Register on March 17, 2025, and the public comment period will run until at least April 17, 2025. During this time, citizens will be able to express their concerns and opinions. After the comment period closes, the Missouri Gaming Commission will be required to file responses with JCAR, ensuring that the public’s input is considered before the rules move forward.
"Once JCAR has had an opportunity to review the rules, they will be held for an additional 30 days, during which time they can request changes or even hold hearings. This is an essential part of the process, ensuring that all concerns are addressed before the final rules are filed. The rules will then be published and incorporated into the Code of State Regulations, with an expected effective date of either August 30 or September 30, 2025.
"In short, the public deserves to have its voice heard, and it’s crucial that we ensure that this rulemaking process is transparent, thorough, and open. By following the standard rulemaking process, Missouri can ensure that the decisions being made are not only legally sound but also informed by the people who will be impacted the most. We cannot afford to rush through this process for the sake of a deadline that can easily be met through standard procedures.
"Missouri’s residents are asking for clarity, transparency, and a fair opportunity to contribute to the discussion on how sports betting will shape our state’s future. The public’s right to know and to participate in this process should not be sidelined in favor of expediency. Let’s move forward with the regular rulemaking process and ensure that Missouri’s sportsbook regulations reflect the will and the best interests of the people."