Missouri sports bettors will need to exercise patience as the state’s anticipated summer 2025 wagering launch faces significant delays. A procedural dispute between regulatory bodies has pushed the timeline back several months, with sports betting now unlikely to debut until late August 2025 at the earliest.
Emergency Rules Rejected, Standard Process Required
The Missouri Gaming Commission’s (MGC) attempt to expedite the process through emergency regulations hit a roadblock when Secretary of State Denny Hoskins declined to approve their proposal. According to MGC Executive Director Mike Leara, Hoskins’ office simply stated the submission “didn’t meet the requirements under the statute.”
Hoskins later clarified his position, explaining that emergency rules are reserved for situations presenting “immediate danger to public health, safety or welfare” or addressing “compelling governmental interests” requiring immediate action. In his assessment, the sports betting implementation timeline didn’t qualify for this accelerated process.
“The standard rulemaking process is more than capable of achieving the desired outcome within the necessary time frame,” Hoskins stated. “Under the proper procedure, the proposed rules could be effective by September 30, 2025—well ahead of the December 1 deadline.”
Had the emergency rules been approved, Missouri might have launched sports betting within days of their publication. Instead, the state must now follow the traditional regulatory development path, which includes a 30-day public comment period and review by the legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.
Impact on Launch Timeline
The regulatory setback means Missouri bettors will likely miss most of the 2025 NFL season, which begins September 4 with the Kansas City Chiefs expected to play in the season opener. Industry experts note that the licensing process alone typically requires several months.
“The average turnaround is about six to nine months from when you get it approved to first bets,” explained Ryan Butler, senior editor at Covers, in comments to local media. This comprehensive process includes licensing investigations, regulatory approvals, and technical testing before operators can accept wagers.
Despite the delay, Missouri’s constitutional amendment mandates that online sports wagering must go live by December 1, 2025. Leara remained confident about meeting this deadline, stating: “We’re going to make it one way or another, but we will make it.”
Missouri’s Betting Framework Takes Shape
Missouri voters narrowly approved sports betting through Amendment 2 in November 2024 with a 50.1% margin. The constitutional change ended Missouri’s status as one of the few remaining states without legalized sports wagering.
Under the approved framework:
- Each of Missouri’s 13 licensed riverboat casinos can apply for both retail and online betting licenses
- Missouri’s six professional sports teams—including the Chiefs, Royals, Cardinals, Blues, City SC, and Current—can establish betting districts near their venues
- Two additional mobile sportsbook licenses will be available unaffiliated with any casino
- A 10% tax on sports betting revenue will fund education, problem gambling research, and addiction treatment programs
The licensing structure has undergone several interpretations, particularly regarding how many online platforms casino companies can operate. “During the campaign, Caesars Entertainment spent $15 million opposing the amendment because it would be allowed only one online platform to cover its three casinos in the state,” Leara noted. “It is now [the attorney general’s] opinion that each parent company gets a mobile license.”
The Path Forward
The proposed rules will be published in the Missouri Register on March 18, initiating a 30-day public comment period. A hearing is scheduled for April 17 in Jefferson City.
Hoskins defended the standard process as essential for public input: “The public deserves to have its voice heard, and it’s crucial that we ensure that this rulemaking process is transparent, thorough, and open.”
While the delay has frustrated industry stakeholders who hoped to capitalize on the entire NFL season, Missouri remains on track to join the growing roster of states with regulated sports wagering before year’s end. Once operational, the market is expected to generate significant revenue and provide Missourians with legal alternatives to offshore betting sites.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has recently detailed its enhanced supervisory focus for the upcoming year, signaling a shift towards a more robust oversight mechanism. This strategic pivot aims to refine its regulatory framework, focusing on a trio of core areas: risk-based resource allocation, heightened collaborative efforts, and proactive risk management.
Strategic Enhancements and Regulatory Focus
In its commitment to evolving its regulatory practices, the MGA is transitioning to an evidence-driven and outcomes-focused model. This updated approach allows for more effective identification and management of risks within the gaming sector, ensuring a strategic allocation of resources that prioritizes areas of highest need, particularly in sports betting integrity and responsible gambling.
Innovations in Supervisory Tools and Methods
Accompanying these strategic enhancements is the launch of the MGA Supervisory Toolkit. This comprehensive resource outlines the methodologies the regulatory body employs, including full-scope and targeted inspections, supervisory meetings, reviews, and even mystery shopping exercises. This toolkit is designed to augment the MGA’s capacity to enforce regulations and monitor compliance effectively.
Sustainability and Responsible Practices
A notable aspect of the MGA’s refreshed focus includes its ongoing commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. This initiative began last summer with the creation of an ESG hub aimed at assisting licensees in integrating sustainable practices into their operations. Building on this, the MGA awarded its inaugural ESG Code Approval Seal to exemplary operators in November, recognizing their efforts to elevate business practices in line with these principles.
Enhanced Player Protection and Market Integrity
Further demonstrating its commitment, the MGA’s recent activities have also included a crackdown on unauthorized gaming operations within its jurisdiction. This supports the Authority’s goal of strengthening online gaming resilience, protecting players, and building stakeholder confidence in a sustainable, regulated industry. The interim performance report for the first half of 2024 highlighted an uptick in player protection efforts, the execution of 611 probity screenings, and the issuance of eight new licenses, underscoring the MGA’s proactive stance in regulatory oversight.
Conclusion
With these strategic enhancements, the MGA is set to reinforce its role as a pivotal entity in regulating the online gaming environment, ensuring a balanced approach between operator innovation and consumer protection. This proactive and refined regulatory framework heralds a new era of governance for the gaming sector, tailored to the industry’s dynamic and evolving challenges.
The Dutch government, led by the State Secretary for Legal Protection, Teun Struycken, is about to introduce a new gambling bill by the end of 2025. This new legislation will increase the age limit for online slots to 21, aiming to strengthen protections for younger adults.
Background and Development
Last December, Struycken reported his ongoing efforts to overhaul the nation’s gambling regulations to the Dutch parliament. Following a thorough review that began last year, a proposal is expected to be presented to policymakers by March. The government’s findings, published in November, criticized the existing measures’ effectiveness in promoting responsible gambling and protecting consumers from gambling-related harm. These findings underscored the need for a legislative refresh to meet the goals in the Remote Gambling Act.
Core Objectives and Legislative Updates
During a recent update to parliament, dated February 14, Struycken highlighted that the foremost goal of the forthcoming bill is comprehensive protection against the hazards of gambling for all citizens, including those who have never gambled. Discussions are ongoing about whether some new protective measures, such as enhanced operator duty of care and tightened restrictions on gambling advertisements, could be implemented ahead of schedule.
Specific Measures in the Proposed Bill
Key components of Struycken’s proposed legislation include raising the minimum age for “risky” gambling activities to 21 and introducing a universal deposit limit. The legislation also aims to enforce strict rules on advertising to reduce the appeal of online gambling drastically. The Gambling Authority (KSA) is set to receive expanded powers for enforcement and supervision, which include blocking access to illegal gambling sites.
Impact Assessment and Current Challenges
Since the implementation of mandatory deposit limits across the industry in October, excessive gambling deposits have significantly reduced. However, the KSA has expressed concerns about high-spending players potentially migrating to unregulated providers. Despite these challenges, the rate of legal gambling participation remains high, demonstrating the effectiveness of current regulatory measures even as areas for improvement are identified.
A New Direction for Player Protection
Struycken’s legislative approach is comprehensive, focusing not only on preventing gambling addiction but also on addressing other related harms, such as financial indebtedness. Special attention is being paid to protecting minors and young adults, identified as particularly susceptible to risky gambling behaviors and the potential for addiction. These efforts are informed by recent studies and warnings from research bodies like the Scientific Research and Data Centre (WODC), which have highlighted vulnerabilities within these demographic groups.
Conclusion and Forward Look
The proposed changes in Dutch gambling legislation represent a significant shift toward a more regulated and responsible gambling environment. As Struycken prepares to finalize the draft legislation by the year’s end, the potential impacts of these reforms are anticipated with considerable interest both within the Netherlands and across the broader European community. This legislative effort signals a strong commitment to curbing the adverse effects of gambling while ensuring a safer, more responsible gambling landscape for all Dutch citizens.
Brazil is gearing up for a seismic shift in its online gaming and sports betting industry. The Ministry of Finance has announced the official list of 81 licensed operators ready to launch under a new regulatory framework starting January 1, 2025. This marks a pivotal moment as the country formalises its burgeoning betting market.
The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) oversaw the licensing process, granting 15 definitive licenses valid through 2029 and 66 provisional licenses that require additional compliance adjustments. Among the definitive licensees are SuperBet, MGM, and SportyBet, while prominent operators like bet365 and Betano secured provisional approvals.
Navigating Financial and Regulatory Hurdles
Securing a license wasn’t an easy feat. Operators were required to pay a licensing fee of R$30 million and establish an emergency reserve fund of R$5 million. Beyond financial commitments, they had to meet stringent requirements concerning advertising, responsible gambling, and compliance with a 12.5% gross revenue tax. Those granted provisional licenses now face a 30-day deadline to resolve outstanding documentation issues to maintain their status.
Challenges Along the Way
The road to regulation was fraught with obstacles. Initially, 103 companies were deemed eligible for licensing, but delays in securing critical certifications narrowed the field to 81. The Ministry of Finance extended the deadline from November 13 to November 29 to accommodate certifier bottlenecks, but some companies still fell short of the requirements.
Despite these setbacks, the Ministry emphasized that excluded operators are not permanently barred. They may revise and resubmit their applications during future review rounds, ensuring they still have a chance to join the regulated market.
The Future of Unlicensed Operators
From January 2025, any platform operating without federal authorization will be deemed illegal if it offers services nationwide. Some companies, unable to meet federal licensing requirements, are exploring state-level alternatives. Regions such as Rio de Janeiro and Paraná have initiated localized licensing processes, providing an avenue for operators to maintain a presence in the market.
Paving the Way for Transparency
Brazil’s new regulatory framework goes beyond mere formalities. It establishes comprehensive measures to ensure accountability, including anti-money laundering protocols, certification audits, and stringent oversight. Licensed operators must also adhere to robust player protection policies and ethical advertising standards, with potential fines reaching up to R$2 billion for non-compliance.
Toward a Regulated Future
The Ministry of Finance’s initiative represents a transformative moment for Brazil’s gaming sector. By prioritizing transparency and accountability, the new regulations aim to foster a safer and more structured market for both operators and players.
As 2025 approaches, Brazil’s journey toward a fully regulated betting industry promises to redefine the landscape, creating opportunities for innovation while protecting consumers and ensuring fair play across the board.
Introduction to the Reorganisation of Gambling
Italy is making significant strides towards reforming its gambling laws, with a new framework for online gambling concessions now nearing completion. This initiative, driven by the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), aims to modernize both online and land-based gambling regulations under the ‘Reorganisation of Gambling’ decree. This move reflects a proactive approach to align Italy’s gambling laws with current market dynamics and technological advancements.
Final Stages of the Legislative Process
Recently, ADM submitted its proposed framework to the Treasury for review. Pending approval from both the Treasury and the Council of State, this documentation will fuse into the broader ‘Reorganisation of Gambling’ decree, poised to significantly overhaul Italy’s gambling regulations.
Before its formal adoption, the Ministry of Made in Italy (formerly known as the Ministry of Enterprise) will relay the technical rules to the European Commission for a thorough assessment. This part of the process includes a mandatory three-month ‘standstill period,’ a critical timeframe during which no further actions can be taken, ensuring a thorough evaluation by the Commission.
Economic Implications of the New Licensing Framework
Under the new regulations sanctioned by the Ministry of the Economy and Finance (MEF), online gambling concessions will be significantly more expensive. The MEF has set the concession fee at €7 million for nine years—a substantial increase from the €200,000 fee in 2018. This escalation, which represents a 35-fold increase, is justified by the presence of major gambling corporations such as SNAI (Playtech), Flutter Entertainment, Lottomatica, and Entain, highlighting the market’s evolution and the need for a robust regulatory framework.
Stricter Operational Guidelines
ADM has also revised the operational terms of concessions. The new framework prohibits skin gambling websites and restricts operators to manage only one brand per license. As reported by Agipronews, the requirement stipulates that each license must correspond to a single concessionaire and website, with mandatory separate apps for different product categories like betting, casino, poker, and bingo.
Moreover, the updated framework emphasizes enhanced IT security and closer integration of games and systems between operators and suppliers. Once the decree is enforced, all systems and games must undergo verification by an external certification body, ensuring a higher standard of security and integrity.
Enhanced Oversight and Future Plans
ADM will implement stricter controls to monitor how operators manage player funds, ensuring a more secure and reliable gambling environment. Looking ahead, ADM’s Head of the Online Office, Antonio Giuliani, announced plans to establish a D-day, marking the official transition to the new regime for existing operators while providing a six-month window for new entrants to adapt to the system.
Conclusion and Outlook
Should the new framework be implemented in 2024, it will achieve a critical objective of the ‘Reorganisation of Gambling’ decree by resolving longstanding legal disputes concerning concessions granted since 2011. This comprehensive reevaluation marks the first regulatory scrutiny of Italian gambling since the initial authorization of online gambling over a decade ago. The decree not only aims to protect vulnerable players, particularly minors but also seeks to combat criminal activities and boost tax revenue for social and governmental initiatives. Through these reforms, Italy sets a new standard for responsible and fair gambling practices in the digital age.
