Digital Wager Wire highlights the most important events impacting the domestic and international sports betting and gaming industry each week throughout the year.
Missouri Sports Betting Date Set
Although supporters hoped that mobile sports betting would be up and running for football season, that was not happening thanks to the efforts of Missouri’s new Secretary of State and intractable former senator, Denny Hoskins. When asked if he would invoke emergency rules to expedite the launch, Hoskins flatly refused.
Hoskins stated afterward, “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 Sept. 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.”
Lost Opportunity for Early Revenue
Justification or not, a pre-football launch sometime in August would have given Missourians a legal avenue to wager on the most popular sport in America and reaped millions in tax dollars for the Show Me State. The new launch date is December 1, 2025.
“August 30th is the date for the licensing rules to become effective, but after that, there is still a process for review and background of applicants before licenses can be issued and sports wagering can go live,” the spokesperson said. “The launch date will be Dec. 1st.”
New Jersey Bill Would Allow Casinos Outside Atlantic City
The nine Boardwalk casinos in Atlantic City are feeling the heat from several external forces, namely online casino wagering and the looming specter of three New York City casinos yet to be built. The Boardwalk is a getaway destination for New Yorkers who want to leave the city and spend some time along the Jersey Shore.
But the allure of New York City entertainment and gaming facilities being so close will likely deter many from driving the extra distance to frequent the Atlantic City resorts. That alone is likely to decrease foot traffic by as much as 30%, but now comes word of a bill that would put additional casinos in northern New Jersey to ostensibly combat the three downstate casinos in New York.
State Senator Salo released a statement saying, “This plants a flag to send a message to New York State that if they open a casino in Manhattan, New Jersey is ready to respond to the competition. New Jersey isn’t going to let gambling dollars in northern New Jersey leave our state for a casino in Manhattan.”
Local Leaders Push Back
And that is another piece of bad news for the Atlantic City casinos, which is why there has been a public outcry against such a measure. It is an issue that was raised and soundly defeated in 2016, when 80% of the voters rejected additional casinos outside of Atlantic City.
Michael Suleiman, Atlantic County’s Democratic Party chairman, added, “The voters of New Jersey have already made it abundantly clear: They don’t want North Jersey casinos. Bringing this proposal back to the ballot would be a waste of taxpayer money and a distraction from the real issues our state faces.”
