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With Missouri’s sports betting launch now less than five months away, the past week has brought a wave of important updates.
Most notably, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) is preparing to issue its two untethered sportsbook licenses, a unique part of the state’s regulatory framework that has the attention of every major sportsbook brand in the U.S.
Here’s a look at the top developments from the last seven days, including updates on license application deadlines, public comment periods, and growing political intrigue surrounding the delayed launch.
Untethered Licenses Headline Missouri’s Regulatory Push
While Missouri will eventually license up to 14 online sportsbooks, only two of those licenses will be untethered—meaning the operators who secure them won’t need to strike a costly partnership with a casino or professional sports franchise.
That’s a big deal for industry giants like FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics, who are all rumored to be frontrunners for these more flexible permits. The application deadline for untethered licenses is July 15, with the MGC scheduled to announce the recipients on August 15.
The MGC is also currently accepting public comments on its rule proposals, with a hearing set for July 17. Those rules are expected to guide not only the untethered application process but the remainder of the state’s licensing and launch timeline.
FanDuel and DraftKings Leading the Pack
While multiple operators are expected to apply, industry watchers widely believe FanDuel and DraftKings are the favorites for the two untethered licenses. That’s because both companies played a major role in getting Missouri sports betting legalized in the first place.
Each contributed millions to the Winning for Missouri Education campaign—a ballot initiative led by Missouri’s professional sports teams that ultimately succeeded in getting a referendum onto the November 2024 ballot. With more than 340,000 voter signatures collected, the measure passed, officially paving the way for legal wagering in the state.
Now, the MGC will determine whether those contributions—and the companies’ national reputations—are enough to give them the early edge in Missouri’s highly competitive market.
DraftKings, Underdog Among First to File Applications
In a separate but related development, DraftKings and Underdog Fantasy became the first two sportsbooks to officially submit their license applications, according to confirmation from the Missouri Gaming Commission last week.
Both are widely expected to be granted entry. DraftKings already operates in nearby states, such as Kansas, Illinois, and Iowa, and its extensive lobbying presence in Missouri made its application unsurprising. Underdog, meanwhile, is positioning itself as more than a fantasy sports platform, aiming to expand into full-scale sports betting by launch day.
These early applications are seen as a signal that Missouri’s biggest sportsbook brands are taking the market seriously and want to be operational as soon as the green light arrives.
Public Hearing Set for July 17 as Rulemaking Continues
As part of the regulatory process, the Missouri Gaming Commission is hosting a public hearing on July 17, during which operators and stakeholders can provide input on proposed rules. These include specifics on licensing, operations, and responsible gaming measures.
Although the state’s final sportsbook rules won’t go into effect until August 30, the untethered licenses will still be awarded earlier—on August 15—meaning the MGC will need to make conditional decisions before all final regulations are in place.
A spokesperson from the Commission emphasized that even after the August 30 rule adoption date, there will still be “a process for review and background of applicants” before licenses are fully granted and operational platforms are permitted to go live.
Political Friction Lingers Over Missed Summer Launch
Missouri’s sports betting rollout was aimed initially for summer 2025. Still, that target was scrapped earlier this year after newly elected Secretary of State Denny Hoskins blocked the Missouri Gaming Commission’s attempt at emergency rulemaking.
Hoskins argued that there was no legitimate emergency and insisted that the state follow the standard rulemaking timeline—which, although slower, has proven to be more transparent. Critics, however, believe Hoskins’ decision cost Missouri millions in missed NFL and college football handles during the busiest part of the betting calendar.
Some see Hoskins’ move as political payback for being sidelined during the legalization process after Missouri sports teams chose a ballot initiative route to bypass legislative delays he helped create.
bet365, BetMGM Already Aligned With Teams and Casinos
While untethered licenses have captured the spotlight this week, several top sportsbooks are also making progress on the tethered front.
bet365 sportsbook has partnered with the St. Louis Cardinals, marking the first official sportsbook-team relationship in the state. This gives the European betting powerhouse access to advertising within Busch Stadium and across the team’s digital platforms.
Meanwhile, BetMGM has aligned with Century Casinos, paving the way for both retail and online sportsbook operations in Missouri later this year.
Additional operators, such as Caesars, ESPN BET, and Bally Bet, are expected to pursue similar partnerships with Missouri’s 13 casinos and six professional sports teams.
What’s Next in Missouri’s Sports Betting Timeline?
As of now, here’s what to watch in the weeks ahead:
- July 15: Deadline for untethered license applications
- July 16: Deadline for public comment on MGC rule proposals
- July 17: Public hearing on sportsbook licensing and rules
- August 15: MGC announces recipients of untethered licenses
- August 30: Licensing rules become official
- September 12: Final deadline for tethered sportsbook license applications
- December 1: Missouri sports betting goes live
