Missouri sports betting launch approaches as Gaming Commission finalizes framework

Missouri will begin legal sports betting on December 1, with temporary licenses being issued to technology suppliers ahead of the launch, Gaming Commission Chairman Jan Zimmerman confirmed.

In a report by Missourinet, Zimmerman said temporary licenses will let technology suppliers test their systems ahead of the launch date. “We wanted to make sure that the suppliers who have the technology side of sports wagering make sure that their product works," she commented.

Writing the rules for sports betting has been a major task. “There are hundreds of pages of everything that will regulate sports wagering in the state of Missouri,” said Zimmerman.

She said that staff worked long hours, including nights and weekends, drafting hundreds of pages of regulations. “They were holed up in our conference room, which they started calling the war room," she further told Missourinet.

The economic impact of sports betting in Missouri is still unclear. Zimmerman said estimates have varied, with the most reasonable figure around $28 million. She added it may take a year to see the full effect.

Missouri voters approved sports betting nearly one year ago through a ballot initiative, which requires the state to have the industry fully operational by December 1. Revenue from gambling will go to public education and Missouri military veterans.