- Sports betting to launch during NFL season on December 1
- 21 sports betting licenses to be awarded
- 2 online–only licenses available
The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) has confirmed the launch of legal Missouri sports betting for later this year. Sports bettors in the Show-Me State will be able to place bets on their favorite teams starting on December 1, 2025.
Applications have recently opened for both retail and online sports betting licenses, for which a competitive application process will follow in the coming months.
Amendment 2 Passed in 2024
By a narrow vote in November 2024, Missourians voted to approve Amendment 2 for both online and retail sports betting. That made Missouri the 39th state to welcome legal sports betting since the Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act was struck down in 2018.
The vote set in motion the availability of 21 licenses to be split between 13 Missouri casinos and six professional sports teams. The teams include the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and St. Louis City SC. Licenses allow for a retail online sportsbook operation.
Two online sportsbook licenses that are not tied to any retail casino are also available.
Some industry experts were optimistic about sports betting in Missouri launching earlier in 2025. However, the MGC has taken time to review rules and regulations for how sports betting will operate and where.
“First, we had to create those rules and, you know, create all of the rules that are associated with, you know, how people are going to wager, you know, where those wagering locations were going to be,” commented MGC Chairman Jan Zimmerman.
“The Gaming Commission is dedicated to making sure that, you know, no one inappropriately gets a license. That, you know, we vet all those people and we check financial background and criminal history.”
“First, we had to create those rules and, you know, create all of the rules that are associated with, you know, how people are going to wager, you know, where those wagering locations were going to be.” — Jan Zimmerman, Missouri Gaming Commission Chairman
Which Sportsbooks Will Launch in Missouri?
Interested operators who wish to apply for Missouri sports betting licenses, could do so starting May 15. Applications remain open until July 15. Over the next month, hearings and approvals are to be completed by August 15.
Key Dates for Missouri Sportsbook Licenses
- July 15: Applications for interested online sportsbook operators due
- August 13: Online license hearings take place
- August 15: Online licenses awarded
- September 12: Deadline for all other license applications
Missouri currently runs 13 state-licensed casinos. Each casino is eligible to apply for both a retail and mobile sportsbook license with fees set at $250,000 and $500,000 respectively. The state tax on sports betting revenues is set at 10% and will go towards K-12 public education.
Many well-known sportsbook operators are expected to apply for licenses. This includes Caesars, who run three retail casinos in Missouri. PENN Entertainment and Bally’s also operate casinos in Missouri.
DraftKings and FanDuel invested millions into the legalization campaign and are expected to be frontrunners to gain a license.
With partnerships with local pro sports teams being one avenue to a license, sportsbooks like Bet365 (Cardinals) and BetMGM (Chiefs) could follow that route. Underdog Fantasy and BetRivers have also expressed interest.
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