The landscape of American gaming expanded on December 1 as Missouri officially launched both online and in-person sports betting. This rollout follows the approval of Amendment 2 by voters in November 2024, a decision that rapidly paved the way for wagering at the state’s 13 casinos and through digital platforms.
While the new law permits up to 14 mobile operators to enter the market, the initial launch featured eight platforms accepting wagers on day one. Missouri residents can now access the following sportsbooks:
- bet365 Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Circa Sports
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- theScore Bet (Formally ESPN BET)
Circa Sports CEO Derek Stevens emphasized the significance of this expansion for his company. He noted that the launch allows them to bring their Las Vegas-born philosophy to a region known for its passionate sports fans. Stevens stated that Circa looks forward to earning the trust of customers across the state and becoming a key part of Missouri’s growing sports betting landscape.
Licensing Dynamics and Market Access
The framework under Amendment 2 requires most digital platforms to tether their operations to either a Missouri casino or a professional sports team based in the state. However, the legislation also created two “untethered” licenses for standalone operation. These coveted spots were awarded to DraftKings and Circa Sports.
Operators without untethered licenses secured market access through strategic local partnerships. FanDuel, which did not receive an untethered license, partnered with the St. Louis City soccer club of the MLS. Similarly, bet365 announced a deal earlier this year with the MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals to ensure their place in the market.
While the launch was largely successful, the roster of operators saw a late change. Underdog Sports was expected to debut alongside the others but withdrew its application just last week on the eve of the launch. Despite this withdrawal and previous delays in the legislative process, the state successfully met its December target.
Regulatory Framework and Consumer Safety
The Missouri Gaming Commission serves as the primary regulator for the industry. The state has set the tax rate at 10 percent of revenue, with operators paying a $500,000 fee for a license. The legal age for placing a sports wager is strictly set at 21 and older.
Regulations also include specific provisions regarding collegiate athletics. Bettors can wager on college games generally, but player-specific proposition bets involving Missouri-based colleges are prohibited.
Revenue generated from this new sector will largely benefit students. The vast majority of state tax revenue is allocated to K-12 and higher education. Additionally, 10 percent of the tax proceeds are directed to the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s compulsive gambling fund to support responsible gaming programs.
Economic Projections and Regional Competition
The arrival of legal wagering allows Missouri to compete effectively with its neighbors. The state is bordered by eight others, seven of which already offer some form of legal sports betting.
This new vertical comes at a crucial time for the state’s gaming industry. Brick-and-mortar casinos in Missouri generated $1.88 billion in 2024, contributing $450 million in tax revenue. However, this represented a 2.1 percent drop in revenue compared to 2023, with visitor numbers falling by approximately 4 percent according to the American Gaming Association. Analysts expect the integration of sports betting to help reverse this downward trend and retain gaming revenue within state lines.
Early financial forecasts are optimistic. BetMissouri projects a betting handle of $65.7 million for the first week of operations alone, rising to $262.6 million for the month of December. The total handle is expected to reach $1 billion within the first four months.
Long-term estimates from market leaders FanDuel and DraftKings suggest a combined $575 million in revenue over the first five years. This performance would deliver approximately $57.5 million in tax revenue to the state.
