Missouri Sports Betting Open for Public Debate

The Show-Me State has taken one more step toward the much-anticipated launch of its sports betting market, with a planned start date of December 1. 

The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) recently put forward the official rules, giving the public until July 16 to weigh in. The public hearing that will review the feedback and address any concerns has been set for July 17.

Operators Can Submit License Applications by July 15

The push for legal sports betting began when voters approved the measure in November 2024. Although the state originally hoped to launch by summer 2025, the timeline was pushed back after Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the emergency rules earlier this year.

Now, the finalized rules will take effect on August 30, paving the way for a December rollout.

Applications opened on May 15 for operators eager to enter the Missouri market. Two mobile-only licenses will be awarded directly by the MGC. 

Interested parties must submit applications by July 15, with a hearing on August 13 and license announcements expected by August 15. 

Retail sports betting licenses will cost $250,000, while online licenses will run for double the rate. 

Operators partnering with Missouri’s professional sports teams or its riverboat casinos have until September 12 to apply if they want to be ready for the December launch.

The market structure allows Missouri’s six professional sports teams and 13 riverboat casinos to each partner with sportsbook operators. Alongside those partnerships, the MGC will hand out two standalone mobile licenses. 

Operators will face a 10% tax on sports betting revenue, which aligns with rates in many other states.

So far, DraftKings and Underdog have been the only applicants for the standalone licenses, though neither has publicly announced a partner yet. 

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals partnered with Bet365 shortly after the ballot passed, and Century Casinos teamed up with BetMGM for their own sports betting ventures. 

Other major players expected to join include FanDuel, which invested heavily in the ballot initiative alongside DraftKings. Industry names like Fanatics, Penn National (operator of ESPN Bet), Bally’s, Boyd Gaming, Caesars, and Rush Street Interactive (BetRivers’ parent) are all considered likely entrants.

Beyond launching sports betting, the MGC will oversee Missouri’s new Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund, created alongside legalization. 

The new fund will be managed together with the Department of Health’s existing program. Its purpose will be to support responsible gaming without a set deadline for spending. 

This flexible approach should help the state tackle problem gambling more effectively.