After years of legislative debate and voter uncertainty, Missouri is finally set to launch legal sports betting on December 1, 2025. This long-anticipated development follows the narrow approval of Amendment 2 in the November 2024 election, which opened the door for both retail and mobile sports wagering across the state.
With plans for up to 14 online sportsbooks and dozens of retail locations at casinos and stadiums, Missouri is preparing to join the ever-growing list of states with regulated sports betting markets.
The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) is leading the charge, overseeing licensing, regulatory approvals, and operator readiness in preparation for the official go-live date. For Missouri bettors, this means that wagering on local favorites like the Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Missouri Tigers is only months away from becoming a legal reality.
Latest News: Missouri Sports Betting Countdown Begins
The MGC has laid out a detailed timeline to manage the licensing and approval process in the lead-up to the launch. On May 15, 2025, the application window officially opened for all online and retail sportsbook licenses.
Operators applying for the two available untethered online licenses—those not tied to a casino or professional sports team—must submit their materials by July 15, with a public hearing scheduled for August 13. The winners of those highly coveted licenses will be announced by August 15.
For all other retail and mobile licenses, the final application deadline is September 12. From there, the MGC will complete its evaluations and finalize licensing decisions in time for the December 1 launch.
Multiple well-known sportsbooks are actively pursuing entry into Missouri’s market. BetMGM, for example, has secured a partnership with Century Casino, giving it both retail and online access. FanDuel and DraftKings—two giants in the industry—are also expected to be early players. Both companies invested heavily in the campaign to legalize sports betting and are viewed as frontrunners for one of the untethered licenses.
Meanwhile, bet365 has already established a marketing partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals, indicating a strong intent to offer both mobile and in-stadium betting experiences. Other brands expected to enter the Missouri market include Caesars Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, ESPN BET, Bally Bet, and Hard Rock Bet.
How Missouri Sports Betting Will Work
Once the market launches, Missouri residents aged 21 and older will be able to place wagers both online and at licensed retail sportsbooks. The state’s 13 riverboat casinos are each eligible to partner with up to three online operators, while Missouri’s six professional sports franchises may each host or affiliate with a sportsbook of their own. Two additional licenses will be untethered, allowing operators to enter the market without a casino or team partner.
Retail sportsbooks are expected to open inside casinos or near professional sports stadiums—within a 400-yard radius—providing fans with a physical location to place bets on game day. Mobile betting, however, is likely to dominate the landscape, offering bettors a convenient way to wager from anywhere within state lines.
Missouri’s sports betting legislation includes a 10% tax on adjusted gross sports betting revenue. These funds will primarily support public education and responsible gambling programs. For bettors, winnings above $5,000 will be subject to federal tax requirements, including a 24% withholding.
What Bettors Can Expect
At launch, players can expect a variety of welcome bonuses and promotional offers, especially from sportsbooks looking to grab market share early. In neighboring states, sportsbooks have offered pre-launch bonuses, risk-free bets, deposit matches, and bet-and-get deals, and Missouri bettors can likely expect the same.
Popular bet types, including moneylines, point spreads, totals (over/under), parlays, player props, futures, and live betting, will all be available. Whether it’s backing the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL, placing futures bets on the St. Louis Blues in the NHL, or wagering on MLS matches with St. Louis City SC or Sporting KC, Missouri bettors will have a full menu of options.
The Bottom Line
Missouri’s sports betting launch has been years in the making, but the finish line is now clearly in sight. With a structured rollout, major sportsbook brands on deck, and clear enthusiasm from both fans and operators, Missouri is poised to become one of the most active new markets in the U.S. by the time the 2025 NFL season hits its stride.
By December 1, Missouri residents will no longer have to cross into Kansas or Illinois to place a legal sports wager. Instead, the action will be right at their fingertips—on their phones, in their casinos, and even near their favorite stadiums.
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