Missouri sports betting update: Potential start dates, retail locations and more
Missouri residents approved sports betting last November, but it may take a bit longer to get going than expected
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Amendment 2 passed in the state of Missouri – albeit by a very thin margin – last November, which paved the way for sports wagering through online sportsbooks, gambling boats, sites near professional teams' arenas and stadiums as well as at the state's 13 casinos. That laid the groundwork for Missouri to have legal sports betting in place in 2025. That's still the case, but there has been a recent development that will likely cause the rollout to begin later than when voters expected. So when can the people of Missouri begin to utilize some of the best sportsbooks and best sports betting apps and place wagers on games and events?
It appeared that sports betting in Missouri was going to begin this summer ahead of the 2025 NFL season. That's no longer the case.
Missouri secretary of state Denny Hoskins recently rejected an emergency request from the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) that would have allowed the MGC to begin accepting applications from sportsbooks on June 30, paving the way for sportsbooks to officially begin taking bets before Week 1 of the NFL season kicks off. Hoskins denied the request, however, and now, the MGC has to wait until Aug. 30 to begin accepting those applications, which are for individual retail licenses and large corporate ones for major sportsbooks. Additionally, every person working in an in-person casino must have their own retail license from the MGC.
Because the MGC can't begin accepting applications until Aug. 30, it's highly unlikely that sportsbooks and casinos will be able to take bets on the first NFL game of the year, which is Sept. 5. Sports betting has to be in place in Missouri by Dec. 1 due to a state constitution deadline approved by voters. Hoskins has said he believes sports betting could begin as soon as Sept. 30, well ahead of the Dec. 1 deadline without accepting the MGC's emergency request.
The push for sports betting in Missouri began in 2018, which was when the United States Supreme Court struck down a federal ruling and paved the way for legal and organized sports betting at the state level. Since then, the Missori betting initiative has had its share of hurdles at the state legislative level before ultimately being placed on the ballot this past November. The ballot measure saw record financial contributions for a Missouri state election, with major sportsbooks campaigning and contributing both in favor and in opposition of the state amendment.
Ultimately, the measure passed, but only just barely. All in all, it passed 50.05% to 49.95%, or a razor-thin margin of fewer than 3,000 votes.
When sports betting is officially active, Missouri will be the 39th state (in addition to Washington D.C.) to have legal sports gambling and the 34th to allow online sports wagering.
There are 13 casinos in the state of Missouri, all of which will be allowed to have sportsbooks and accept sports wagers for those 21 and older. The same is the case for excursion gambling boats. Additionally, online sports betting will be legal and available to Missouri residents, and each of Missouri's six professional sports teams – the Chiefs (NFL), Royals and Cardinals (MLB), Blues (NHL) and Sporting KC and St. Louis City FC (MLS) – will be able to obtain retail licenses, which would allow the franchises to operate in-person sportsbooks within their sports districts near their respective stadiums and arenas. The MGC will be in charge of applications and regulation of all sportsbooks in the state.
Because the MGC is unable to accept applications until Aug. 30, that means we do not yet know which of the best sportsbooks and best sports betting apps Missouri residents will be able to utilize. FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics, Caesars and bet365 are all reportedly expected to apply for licensing in Missouri. DraftKings is reportedly likely to apply as well, and it has the closest land-based sportsbook to Missouri in neighboring Illinois.
Once sports betting is officially live and available, Missouri residents will be able to bet on all major sports. Additionally, betting on college athletics will be an option, including on in-state teams such as the University of Missouri. College prop betting will not be available, however.
Written by Brandon Gustafson
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