Missouri Sports Betting Set for December Launch

Missouri is preparing to join the growing list of U.S. states with legal online sports betting, with regulators targeting a December 1 launch. Ten operators have filed applications with the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC), positioning the state for a competitive market debut.

The MGC confirmed that 10 sportsbooks submitted applications before last Friday’s deadline, with additional filings still possible from applicants that mailed forms by the September 12 postmark cutoff. In total, the commission received 734 applications across operator and supplier categories. Temporary licences are expected to be issued on October 22, giving operators six weeks to prepare for the December rollout. If the timeline holds, operators will begin customer sign-ups and deposits on November 17, followed by the first legal wagers at midnight on December 1. Missouri will be the first new sports betting market since North Carolina launched online wagering in March 2024.

 

The Developments & Broader Context

The applicant list includes some of the biggest names in the industry. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN Bet, and Bet365 all submitted applications, alongside Fanatics, Circa Sports, Kambi, and Underdog. This group reflects a blend of established market leaders and up-and-coming challengers. Two of them—DraftKings and Circa—have already secured “untethered” licences, which allow operators to launch without partnering with a local casino. Circa’s approval was particularly notable as it came at the expense of FanDuel, which lost its bid despite its strong U.S. presence. Regulators said Circa could attract “different types of bettors,” diversifying the state’s sports betting landscape.

While DraftKings and Circa have a head start, most operators are pursuing local partnerships to establish their presence. FanDuel turned to Major League Soccer franchise St. Louis CITY SC after missing out on an untethered licence. Bet365 has partnered with the St. Louis Cardinals, the MLB team that helped spearhead the 2024 ballot initiative to legalize sports betting. BetMGM has aligned with Century Casinos, while Fanatics paired with Boyd Gaming, which owns two Ameristar casino properties in Missouri. Penn Sports Interactive will use its Hollywood Casino and River City Casino locations to launch ESPN Bet, and Caesars is applying through its Harrah’s Kansas City and Horseshoe St. Louis properties. These partnerships also pave the way for casinos to open in-person sportsbooks, providing both retail and online betting options for Missouri residents.

The regulatory process is still ongoing. The MGC will hold public meetings on September 23–24 to review operator applications. Applicants must also submit detailed house rules and internal control systems by September 26. Once those steps are completed, temporary licences will be activated in October, clearing the way for operators to finalize preparations ahead of the November 17 pre-launch sign-up window.

 

Missouri sports betting will launch on December 1, 2025, with 10 operators applying for licences, including major players like DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and ESPN Bet, following narrow voter approval in 2024.

 

The Future

Sports betting was narrowly approved by Missouri voters in November 2024, passing with just over 50% support. The initiative was launched by the state’s professional sports teams after years of stalled legislation in Jefferson City. Revenue from sports wagering will be taxed at 10%, placing Missouri in line with other mid-sized markets across the country.

Analysts expect Missouri’s sports betting rollout to be competitive given the number of national operators involved and the state’s strong base of professional sports franchises, including the Cardinals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and St. Louis CITY SC. The December launch not only marks a milestone for Missouri’s gaming industry but also underscores the role of voter-driven initiatives in shaping the future of sports wagering in the United States. With ten operators already in line, consumers will face no shortage of choice when the first wagers are placed this winter.