DraftKings Among Five Companies Seeking Licenses in Missouri

The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) has confirmed that five companies have formally applied for licenses to operate in the state’s soon-to-launch sports betting market. The applicants include prominent operators DraftKings and Underdog Fantasy Sports, alongside three suppliers providing essential regulatory and technological services. This marks a significant step toward Missouri’s anticipated December 1 rollout of legal sports betting.

Who are the Suppliers?

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Among the operators, DraftKings and Underdog stand out. DraftKings, a leading national sportsbook operator, seeks entry into Missouri’s market, which would become its 26th state presence. Meanwhile, Underdog, already offering DFS in Missouri, aims to expand into full sportsbook operations. This move is notable, given that DFS platforms rarely transition into sportsbook markets, possibly reflecting increased regulatory scrutiny on DFS operators elsewhere.

On the supplier side, three firms have applied: Catalist, Gaming Labs International (GLI), and GeoComply. These companies provide crucial services such as live sports data, compliance testing, and geolocation verification, all of which underpin the integrity and legality of sports betting operations.

Operator Applicants

DraftKings is a dominant player nationally, active in 25 states plus Washington, D.C., and its application signals Missouri’s growing appeal. Industry analysts expect other major competitors, including FanDuel and BetMGM, to submit applications imminently.

Underdog Fantasy Sports’ application signals an unusual but strategic expansion. While primarily a DFS platform, the company appears ready to enter full sportsbook operations. This shift may be a response to tighter regulations in other states where DFS operators have faced restrictions for offering sportsbook-like features without formal licenses.

Supplier Applicants: Infrastructure and Compliance Pillars

• Catalist, based in New York, supplies official live data and streaming for multiple sports, supporting over 100,000 events annually. Its coverage spans tennis, soccer, basketball, and hockey, including major tournaments such as the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup.
• Gaming Labs International (GLI), headquartered in New Jersey, specializes in regulatory compliance testing. GLI ensures sportsbooks meet state-specific requirements, validating bet types like fixed odds, parlays, and betting exchanges. Its client base includes several state gaming authorities and tribal commissions, highlighting its regulatory reach.
• GeoComply provides critical geolocation services, verifying users’ physical locations with high precision. This prevents unauthorized betting from outside state lines and includes sophisticated fraud detection technologies. GeoComply operates across more than 40 states, managing billions of transactions annually.

Regulatory Timeline and Market Outlook

Missouri’s licensing process has two deadlines: operators applying for direct mobile licenses—allowing them to operate without local partners—must apply by July 15. The MGC plans to review these applications on August 13 and issue two licenses by August 15. Operators seeking to partner with Missouri-based entities have a later deadline of September 12.

Industry watchers anticipate that by late summer, Missouri will have a definitive list of approved sportsbooks ready to launch ahead of the state’s target launch date of December 1. BetMGM, tied to Century Casino Cape Girardeau, and bet365, in partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals, are expected to enter the market following their recent agreements.

According to projections by PlayUSA, Missouri’s sports betting market could generate more than $170 million in revenue during the core NFL months of September through November, potentially placing it among the top 15 states in sports betting revenue.

Missouri’s sports betting market is set to become a major player, with top operators and suppliers lining up for licenses ahead of the December launch.

Conclusion

Missouri’s sports betting market is rapidly taking shape, with established operators and suppliers positioning themselves ahead of the state’s regulatory rollout. DraftKings and Underdog’s applications underscore the competitive and evolving nature of the market, while the inclusion of specialized suppliers ensures a robust infrastructure for regulated sports wagering. With a clear licensing roadmap and high revenue potential, Missouri is poised to become a significant player in the expanding U.S. sports betting landscape.