After years of legislative hurdles and public debate, Missouri is poised to join the growing list of U.S. states offering legal sports betting. Following the narrow passage of Amendment 2 in November 2024, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) has been diligently working to establish a regulatory framework, with the official launch date set for December 1, 2025.

Legislative Background

The journey to legalization has been protracted. Despite multiple bills introduced between 2018 and 2023, disagreements over issues like video lottery terminals stalled progress. It wasn’t until Amendment 2 was placed on the 2024 ballot that significant movement occurred. The amendment passed by a razor-thin margin: just 0.05% (50.05% “yes” to 49.95% “no”), highlighting the contentious nature of the issue.

Regulatory Framework

Under the new law, the MGC is authorized to issue up to 14 online sports betting licenses:

6 licenses tied to the state’s existing casinos (one per casino
operator) 6 licenses allocated to Missouri’s professional sports
franchises (one per team) 2 “untethered” licenses available to operators without in-state partnerships

Each license comes with associated fees, up to $250,000 for retail sportsbooks and up to $500,000 for mobile operations. Operators will also be subject to a 10% tax on adjusted gross revenue, with the first $5 million annually earmarked for the Missouri Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund and the remainder directed toward K-12 public education.

Application Process and Key Dates

The MGC opened the application window for sportsbook licenses on May 15, 2025. Deadlines are as follows:

Untethered Licenses: Applications due by July 15, 2025, with public hearings scheduled for August 13 and license awards announced by August 15.

Retail and Mobile Licenses (Tethered): Applications due by September 12, 2025.

All approved licenses are expected to be announced simultaneously, as close to the December 1 launch date as possible.

Market Entrants and Partnerships

Several major operators have already signaled their intent to enter the Missouri market:

BetMGM: Partnered with Century Casinos, which operates two of Missouri’s casinos, allowing for both retail and online betting operations.

bet365: Entered into a marketing partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals, indicating plans for both mobile and in-stadium betting experiences.

FanDuel and DraftKings: Both companies heavily invested in the campaign to legalize sports betting in Missouri and are expected to be early players in the market, likely vying for the untethered licenses.

Caesars Sportsbook: Despite initially opposing Amendment 2 due to concerns about license allocation, Caesars is now expected to apply for licenses to maintain its market share in the state, likely through its existing casino properties (Horseshoe St. Louis, Harrah’s Kansas City, Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Boonville).

Betting Options and Taxation

Once operational, Missouri residents aged 21 and older will be able to place wagers both online and at licensed retail sportsbooks. Betting options will include point spreads, moneylines, over/under bets, parlays, player props, futures, and live betting. Winnings above $5,000 will be subject to federal tax requirements, including a 24% withholding.

Economic Impact

The legalization of sports betting is expected to generate significant economic benefits for Missouri. A study released by Winning for Missouri Education and Eilers & Krejcik estimated that Missouri sportsbooks could generate $560 million annually in handle. The resulting tax revenue will provide substantial support for public education and responsible gambling programs, with state governmental entities estimating initial license fee revenue of $11.75 million, with annual tax revenue potentially reaching up to $28.9 million.

Conclusion

Missouri’s foray into legal sports betting marks a significant shift in the state’s approach to gambling and reflects broader national trends toward legalization. As the December 1 launch date approaches, stakeholders, including operators, regulators, and bettors, are preparing for a new era of sports wagering in the Show-Me State.