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For BetMGM chief revenue officer Matt Prevost, Missouri represents a milestone for the sportsbook operator, becoming its 30th state when it launches Missouri sports betting operations on Dec. 1.
It could also prove to be a lucrative market – potentially bringing a gross gaming revenue of $600 million annually to be shared by BetMGM and its competitors.
Prevost told PlayMissouri,
“We’re excited about the opportunity to go live in any state with regulated online sports betting. It also, just by chance, tips us into as a brand serving roughly 50% of the US population with our 30 states. So, we feel pretty good about achieving that milestone.”
Provost estimates ‘hundreds of thousands’ existing MO customers
Prevost also notes that thanks to its enduring partnership with arguably Missouri’s best-known sports team, it’s quite familiar with the Show Me State.
“Missouri is an attractive market, with 4.8 million adults, and home to numerous professional teams. We have a longstanding relationship with the Chiefs, so we know that at least the Kansas City market really well.”
Though he didn’t reveal exact numbers, Prevost estimates that “hundreds of thousands of Missouri customers … have previously bet with us in either Kansas or in Illinois,” thanks to those states’ proximity to Missouri’s two major metro areas.
BetMGM Sportsbook also chose a native son of St. Louis, actor Jon Hamm, to feature in its marketing campaign ahead of the Dec. 1 launch.
Retail operations in Cape Girardeau
BetMGM will also come to know another part of Missouri thanks to a partnership with Century Casino & Hotel Cape Girardeau in the southeast corner of the state.
Though Prevost expects that mobile betting will make up the vast majority of BetMGM’s handle, he describes Century as a great partner, with a launch party planned on Sunday, Nov. 30, going past midnight to allow for the sportsbook’s first bets; a Monday Night Football watch party on Dec. 1; and then a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5 to officially welcome BetMGM’s operation in the casino.
Prevost said there are no plans for additional retail sportsbooks in the state, with the operator’s focus squarely on mobile.
Seeing the Missouri market similar in size and scope to Maryland, Prevost acknowledges competition will be keen, but he’s confident that BetMGM is up for the challenge.
“There’s the connection to the Chiefs partnership as well as the VIP experiences that we can offer through the Chiefs partnership … as with any market we launch in, [there’s] the connection to MGM loyalty program, the connection to Vegas, and the opportunities to do fly away experiences and have room comps and the like in Las Vegas is a big point of difference. And then, that trust that is associated with the MGM brand, and the way that we treat our customers.”
