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Sports betting in Missouri is finally on the horizon, but the clock is ticking for operators who want to be part of the action on launch day. The Missouri Gaming Commission has set Friday, Sept. 12, as the last day for legal US sportsbooks to get their paperwork in order if they hope to secure temporary licenses and go live on Dec. 1.
This deadline is more than just a formality. It’s the first real checkpoint for the industry as the state prepares to join the growing list of legal sports betting markets across the country.
Why This Deadline Matters
Applying by Friday means an operator’s bid will be reviewed quickly enough to qualify for a temporary license. With that license in hand, sportsbooks can begin testing systems, certifying equipment, and finalizing internal controls before the December launch date.
The commission made it clear: miss the deadline, and you miss the opportunity to be live on day one. For national operators who already face intense competition, being left out at the start of Missouri’s market could mean ceding valuable ground to rivals who got their submissions in on time.
The Sportsbooks Already in the Mix
So far, seven operators have filed their applications for legal Missouri sports betting licenses, according to the MO Gaming Commission. Two names stand out right away: Circa Sports and DraftKings.
These two were awarded the state’s coveted “untethered” licenses back in August. That designation allows them to operate independently of any casino or pro sports team, giving them a little more freedom—and a lot more responsibility. DraftKings was expected to land one of those licenses, but Circa shocked many by beating out FanDuel for the other.
FanDuel didn’t sulk for long. Within hours of missing out on an untethered license, it announced a partnership with St. Louis City SC, the MLS club, securing its own entry into the Missouri market.
Other big names like Caesars, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, and Underdog have also submitted applications, each aiming to carve out space in a market that promises to be competitive from the start.
Partnerships Already Taking Shape
In Missouri, gaining entry isn’t just about applying. Operators also need to secure market access deals with casinos or pro teams—unless they hold one of the limited untethered licenses.
Several key partnerships are already in place:
- Fanatics + Boyd Gaming: This deal was finalized in late August and gives Fanatics a clear path into Missouri.
- BetMGM + Century Casinos: Announced back in May, this was one of the earlier partnerships on record.
- bet365 + St. Louis Cardinals: A March announcement tied one of the world’s largest operators to one of the state’s most iconic sports franchises.
Interestingly, neither BetMGM nor bet365 had submitted applications as of early September, though both are expected to do so by Friday.
Missouri Playing Catch-Up
Missouri is late to the sports betting party compared to its neighbors. The state is nearly surrounded by legal betting markets—Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, and Kentucky all have sportsbooks up and running.
That has left Missourians who want to place a legal wager crossing state lines, taking tax dollars with them. By waiting until December, Missouri misses out on the bulk of the college football and NFL betting seasons (at least the regular seasons), which are peak months for sports betting activity.
Still, officials are banking on pent-up demand carrying the launch through the NFL playoffs and college bowl season.
The Illinois Factor
One wrinkle that could benefit Missouri is what’s happening just across the border in Illinois. The state’s latest budget added a new per-bet tax that is being passed directly to customers. Bettors now pay a surcharge of 25 cents per bet through the first 20 million wagers, and 50 cents per bet after that.
Some Illinois sportsbooks responded by raising minimum bet amounts. Others simply tacked the surcharge onto customers’ slips. Either way, many Illinois bettors are not happy, and social media posts show plenty of frustration with the new tax.
That could push residents of East St. Louis to cross the Mississippi River into Missouri once sportsbooks open. The big winner here might be DraftKings, which already has a strong presence in the St. Louis area through its previous partnership with Casino Queen in Illinois.
Pre-Registration Coming in November
Even though wagering won’t officially begin until Dec. 1, Missouri sports fans won’t have to wait until then to start engaging with sportsbooks. The Missouri Gaming Commission has set Nov. 17 as the date when approved operators can begin allowing customers to pre-register and make deposits.
That means apps like DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetMGM will likely start offering early sign-up bonuses. Bettors can create accounts, verify their identity, and fund their wallets ahead of time. The wagers themselves will be locked until launch day, but the head start will let sportsbooks build their customer bases before the floodgates open.
What Comes Next
The next few weeks will be all about paperwork, approvals, and preparation. After Friday’s deadline, operators must submit house rules and internal controls by Sept. 26. Temporary licenses are expected to be issued by Oct. 22, setting the stage for the November pre-registration period.
By Dec. 1, Missouri is expected to have as many as 14 mobile sportsbooks live, alongside 19 retail locations. For sports fans in the state, it will mark the end of years of waiting—and the beginning of a new era where placing a legal bet can be done without crossing state lines.
A Market Ready to Explode
The bottom line is clear: Friday’s deadline is more than just paperwork. It’s the first real race to the starting line for Missouri’s sports betting industry. With national brands battling for attention, local partnerships making headlines, and frustrated Illinois bettors potentially crossing the river, all signs point to a hotly contested and potentially lucrative market.
Missourians have been waiting for this moment since 2019, when the first serious discussions about sports betting began in the state legislature. Now, after years of setbacks, compromises, and campaigning, the finish line is finally in sight.
