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The wait is nearly over for sports fans in Missouri. The state’s push to bring legal sports betting to life is about to hit its biggest milestone yet. On Wednesday, October 22, the Missouri Gaming Commission will hand out temporary sports betting licenses — a move that officially sets the stage for operators to prepare for the full December 1 launch.
This date is more than a bureaucratic checkpoint. It’s the day the Show-Me State’s sports betting landscape will finally begin to take shape.
Once those licenses are handed out, fans, franchises, and operators will know exactly who’s in the game and what the next few weeks will look like as Missouri races toward its first legal wagers.
Why October 22 Is Such a Big Deal
After months of reviewing applications, running background checks, and going over every detail, the Missouri Gaming Commission is finally ready to make things official. On October 22, the state will take a major step forward by awarding temporary sports betting licenses — the approvals that will bring legal wagering in Missouri one step closer to reality.
Eight heavyweight brands are waiting for that decision: BetMGM, bet365, FanDuel, Fanatics Sportsbook, Caesars, ESPN BET, Underdog, and Kambi.
Once those temporary licenses are handed out, each operator can start final preparations — from testing their sports betting apps to readying retail sportsbooks and planning out the first wave of promotions ahead of launch.
The importance of these temporary licenses can’t be overstated. They serve as the official go-ahead that allows sportsbooks to operate while the state finalizes its permanent approvals. Without them, no betting app could open registration or legally take a single wager.
In many ways, October 22 is the true starting line for the Missouri sports betting industry — the day everything moves from planning to action.
What Happens After the Licenses Are Awarded
Following the October 22 approval, operators must submit their internal controls, house rules, and compliance documentation to the commission. Once that paperwork is reviewed, customers will finally get their turn.
Beginning Monday, November 17, at midnight, Missourians will be able to register for accounts, deposit funds, and explore sportsbook apps ahead of the full statewide launch.
This pre-registration window is expected to come with a flood of sports betting bonuses and promos — similar to what other states experienced before their launches.
From there, everything builds toward Monday, December 1, at 12:01 a.m., when legal sports betting goes live across the state. The timing couldn’t be better. Missouri fans will be able to place bets during the NFL playoff race, college football bowl season, and the heart of the NHL schedule.
The Race to Partner Up
Missouri’s sports betting law created a structure that allows each land-based casino and professional sports franchise to partner with one online sportsbook. This setup has already led to some major partnerships.
- BetMGM teamed up with Century Casinos back in May.
- bet365 secured a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, marking one of the most notable team partnerships in the state.
- FanDuel joined forces with St. Louis CITY SC, bringing one of America’s biggest sportsbook brands into the MLS fold.
- Fanatics Sportsbook partnered with Boyd Gaming, which operates Ameristar Casino locations in Kansas City and St. Charles.
- ESPN BET will enter Missouri through PENN Entertainment’s Hollywood and River City casinos.
- Caesars Sportsbook used its own Missouri casinos, Harrah’s Kansas City and Horseshoe St. Louis, for access.
- Underdog, one of the fastest-growing new operators in the country, partnered with the Kansas City Royals, setting the stage for a unique sports-betting-meets-fantasy crossover.
Meanwhile, Kambi’s plans remain under wraps. The tech company provides the platform that powers BetRivers, but has not yet announced a specific partner in Missouri.
DraftKings and Circa Already Have Their Foot in the Door
Two operators have already secured untethered licenses, which means they can operate statewide without needing a local casino or sports team partnership. DraftKings Missouri and Circa Sports both received those approvals earlier this year.
FanDuel had applied for an untethered license as well, but was passed over by the commission, prompting its later tethered application. DraftKings’ early approval puts it in a strong position to dominate the early market, as it can move quickly on app preparation, promotional campaigns, and retail presence before most competitors receive their licenses.
Circa Sports, known for its high-limit betting and sharp lines, will also add a bit of Las Vegas flair to Missouri’s launch.
A Massive Application Wave
The scale of Missouri’s upcoming betting market is impressive. According to the Gaming Commission, the state received 1,113 total sports betting–related applications, covering everything from business partnerships to employee licensing.
Here’s how those numbers break down:
- 39 business applications
- 82 “key individual” or Level I employee applications
- Hundreds more Level II employee filings from major sportsbooks, including 300 from BetMGM and 227 from PENN Sports Interactive (ESPN BET)
Those figures illustrate just how big the industry will be in Missouri. With up to 19 retail sportsbook licenses and 14 online licenses available, the market is large enough to support significant competition — but not so large that it becomes chaotic.
What to Expect Next Week
Once the October 22 licensing decisions are announced, the real fun begins. Operators will likely roll out teaser campaigns and pre-registration promos almost immediately. Expect to see billboards, social media ads, and email blasts from every major sportsbook trying to grab your attention.
In states like Ohio and Kentucky, pre-registration promos offered free bets or bonus credits simply for signing up before launch. Missouri players can expect a similar wave of offers as sportsbooks look to secure early users ahead of December 1.
The October 22 meeting will also reveal whether all eight tethered applicants make the cut. If any are delayed or denied, it could reshape the competitive balance in the state before a single bet is placed.
Why This Moment Matters for Missouri
For local fans — especially those driving across the river to Illinois or down to Kansas just to place bets — the October 22 license day feels like a long-overdue win.
It’s also a financial victory for the state. Early projections suggest Missouri could bring in roughly $28 million annually in tax revenue, earmarked for education and veterans’ programs.
That figure could grow significantly as the market matures.
