JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri is finally in the red zone on sports betting, and regulators say the state is ready to punch it in. The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) confirmed this week that the state’s long-anticipated launch is still on pace for December 1, 2025, setting the stage for both online and retail sportsbooks to go live in time for the college bowl season and the NFL playoff push.
A total of nine sportsbooks are expected to debut on Day 1. Big-name operators include DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, ESPN BET, bet365, BetMGM, Fanatics, Circa Sports, and Underdog. Two of those — DraftKings and Circa — snagged “untethered” mobile licenses, meaning they don’t need to be tied to a casino or pro team. The rest secured market access deals with Missouri’s casinos and franchises, such as FanDuel with St. Louis CITY SC and bet365 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Missouri Sports Betting Is Now Legal After Bill Passes by 2,961 Votes
Missouri voters signed off on sports betting through Amendment 2 in Nov. 2024, setting a 10% tax rate on adjusted gross revenue. Lawmakers earmarked those dollars for education and problem-gambling programs, giving operators the green light after years of political gridlock in Jefferson City.
Missouri opens public comment on sports betting rules ahead of december launch
Industry insiders say Missouri’s late-season entry could still pack a punch. With direct competition in neighboring states like Kansas, Illinois, and Iowa, the Show-Me State was leaving money on the table. Now, the expectation is that hundreds of millions in annual handle will flow through Missouri’s books once the market matures.
