Missouri had been targeting an early summer launch for sports betting. However, the emergency draft of Missouri sports betting rules has been rejected by Missouri Sec. of State Denny Hoskins, throwing a curveball into the proceedings. MO sports betting could run up against start of NFL season With the Missouri Gaming Commission having to wait until the sports betting rules gain state approval before accepting licensing applications from prospective wagering operators, it now has it sights set on an Aug. 30 launch, according to a report from Kansas City (Mo.) TV station KCTV. “In the absence of emergency rules, our timeline is being pushed back months,” the MGC told KCTV. “The Commission will proceed with our proposed licensing rules that were filed at the same time and will become effective Aug. 30, 2025.” That timeframe, of course, would push up against one of the red-number dates on the annual sports wagering calendar: The start of the NFL season. And with a Thursday, Sept. 4 kickoff, the NFL has its earliest possible start this year as Labor Day falls on Sept. 1. Hoskins disagreed with rules' draft's 'emergency' designation Last November, the state’s voters narrowly passed Amendment 2 to officially legalize sports wagering in the Show Me State. The amendment stipulates that Missouri has until Dec. 1 to officially go live with sports betting. However, Hoskins didn’t like the “emergency” tag applied to sports betting rules draft presented to him and Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe earlier this month. "(An emergency rule is only warranted 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,” Hoskins said, according to SBC Americas.   “This decision does not impact the ongoing efforts to review and update the state’s gaming policies. The Secretary of State’s office will continue to collaborate with stakeholders as it moves forward with the rule-making procedure.” Our partner site, Legal Sports Report, noted that this is the most recent unfavorable ruling from Hoskins, a long-time opponent of Missouri sports betting. Still, once Missouri's set of rules gains executive branch approval, a 30-day public commentary period will commence. Amendment 2 stipulates that all 13 of the state’s physical casinos — all on or near the banks of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers — can each apply for licenses to operate sportsbooks. All six of Missouri’s professional sports franchises — the NFL’s Chiefs, MLB’s Royals and NWSL’s Current in Kansas City and the MLB’s Cardinals, NHL’s Blues and the MLS St. Louis City SC in St. Louis — can also operate sports -gambling “districts” around their home stadiums. Two additional mobile sports betting licenses, unaffiliated with the casinos, will also be granted. Those will most likely go to a pair of current U.S. industry giants such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM or Caesars. Missouri sports betting revenues will be subject to a 10 percent tax with proceeds going to public education and gambling addiction treatment.