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While Missouri online sports betting licenses have generated significant attention in recent months, two sportsbook operators have announced plans to open retail sportsbooks at four land-based casinos in the state, diverging from the online betting trend.
Fanatics will open retail sportsbooks at Boyd Gaming’s Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City and Ameristar Casino Resort and Spa St. Charles.
ESPN BET will open retail sportsbooks at Hollywood Casino St. Louis and River City Casino & Hotel.
These four casinos are among Missouri’s top revenue-generating properties.
Fanatics sportsbooks debut at Boyd Gaming’s Missouri casinos
Fanatics‘ plans to open retail sportsbooks at two Ameristar casinos result from a partnership formed with Boyd Gaming Corp. last month. The properties will offer a wide range of wagering options.
“The Fanatics Sportsbook retail locations at the two Ameristar casinos in Missouri will cater to guests looking to enjoy the ultimate sportsbook experience, offering legal betting markets for all major sports including professional and college football, basketball, hockey, baseball, tennis, soccer, golf, MMA, boxing and more,” the company said in a Fanatics news release.
The two properties, Ameristar St. Charles and Ameristar Kansas City, ranked first and fourth in revenue among Missouri casinos in fiscal year 2024, respectively.
Through the partnership, Fanatics will also operate an online sportsbook for Boyd Gaming, a significant development, as mobile sports wagering accounts for the majority of an operator’s sports betting revenue in states offering both mobile and retail betting.
ESPN BET boosts PENN’s presence with Missouri sportsbooks
ESPN BET‘s two retail sportsbooks will increase parent company PENN Entertainment’s land-based sportsbook locations from 32 to 34.
The two casinos hosting ESPN BET retail sportsbooks, River City Casino & Hotel and Hollywood Casino St. Louis, ranked second and third in revenue in Missouri in fiscal year 2024, respectively.
Key dates for Missouri sports betting launch
Sports betting is set to launch on Dec. 1. At that time, bettors within Missouri state lines can place online sports wagers or bet in person at retail sportsbooks. However, sportsbook operators that receive a temporary license may begin accepting customer deposits starting at 12 a.m. on Nov. 17. The Missouri Gaming Commission expects to award temporary licenses on Oct. 22.
Prospective Missouri sportsbook customers should watch for a wave of sportsbook promotions likely to appear on or before Nov. 17. Typical promotions include “no-sweat” first bets (if your first bet loses, you receive a credit equal to the amount lost) and deposit matches (the sportsbook matches your first deposit up to a specified amount).
