Missouri sports betting will officially launch on Dec. 1. There had been hopes that sports betting could begin sooner in the Show Me State after voters approved it last November.
The Missouri Gaming Commission began accepting license applications from potential Missouri sportsbooks on May 15.
Missouri will become the 39th state to legalize sports betting and the 31st state to allow online sports betting.
Regulators previously pushed for summertime launch
In November 2024, Missouri voters approved Amendment 2 at the ballot box by a slim margin. That followed many failed attempts over the last several years by the Missouri General Assembly to legalize it. The ballot measure, which was supported by Missouri’s professional sports teams, passed with just 50.05% of voters voting yes.
A Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) spokesperson told Legal Sports Report that licensing rules will become effective on Aug. 30, after which there will be a period of reviewing and processing applications.
The MGC, which is tasked with approving sportsbook applications and finalizing all rules and regulations, had hoped that Missouri sports betting would be live as early as late June, ahead of the start of the 2025 NFL season. But Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the proposed emergency rulemaking designation, which would have sped up the process.
Amendment 2 mandated that Missouri sports betting was to launch no later than Dec. 1.
With the Dec. 1 launch date, Missourians will be able to legally bet on the Kansas City Chiefs for the first time. The first Chiefs game after the launch is a matchup against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 7.
Up to 21 sports betting licenses available
Amendment 2 also outlined the basic licensing framework for sports betting in Missouri. Up to 21 sports wagering licenses can be granted.
The state’s 13 casinos are eligible to apply for a license to operate both an on-site retail sportsbook and an online sportsbook through a partnership with a sports betting operator. Missouri’s six major professional sports teams may also apply for a license to partner with an online sportsbook and operate a retail sportsbook near their playing facilities.
Applications for these licenses must be submitted by Sept. 12 if the applicant wants to go live by Dec. 1.
The MGC will also grant two mobile sports betting licenses to operators not affiliated with a land-based operation. Applications for these direct mobile licenses are due by July 15. The MGC will announce the two recipients on Aug. 15.
Player prop bets on college sports not allowed
Other rules outlined in Amendment 2 include age restrictions. Only people 21 and up will be allowed to participate in Missouri sports betting, which has been the industry standard in the US.
Amendment 2 also restricts some wagering on college sports. The amendment states that the state will not allow “wagering on the performance or nonperformance of any individual athlete participating in a single game or match of a collegiate sporting event in which a collegiate team from (Missouri) is a participant.”
That means that bettors will not be able to make player prop bets during any game that features a team from any Missouri college.
Taxes derived from sports betting will go to the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund and Missouri schools.
Which sportsbooks will be coming to Missouri?
While it won’t be known for a few months exactly which sportsbooks will be available to Missouri bettors come Dec. 1, a few casino and sports team affiliations provide clues.
FanDuel Sportsbook has a partnership with Boyd Gaming, which operates Ameristar Casino St. Charles and Ameristar Casino Kansas City.
Caesars Entertainment operates three casinos in Missouri, making Caesars Sportsbook another likely applicant.
BetMGM Sportsbook is an official sports betting partner of the Kansas City Chiefs, so the Chiefs could potentially partner with them for their retail and online sports betting offering.
