Missouri’s sports betting framework continues taking shape as the MGC awards nine temporary online sports betting licences.
Missouri’s long-awaited sports betting framework continues to take shape, as the Missouri Gaming Commission confirmed the award of nine temporary online sports betting licences.
BetMGM, bet365, Caesars Sportsbook, Circa Sports, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, and Underdog were each granted approval to operate ahead of the state’s December launch.
The Show Me State will officially launch legal sports betting at midnight on 1 December. The announcement marks the culmination of years of debate and legislative effort to bring regulated wagering to Missouri.
Each of the nine applicants received a temporary licence, ensuring that all major operators entering the market can begin preparations for launch.
DraftKings and Circa Sports had previously secured untethered online licences earlier in the year, granting them permission to operate independently of any in-state casino or professional sports team.
The remaining seven operators were required to obtain tethered licences by partnering with an existing Missouri entity.
Among the partnerships, BetMGM aligned with Century Casinos in May, while bet365 announced a market access agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals in March.
FanDuel will enter the market through its collaboration with MLS franchise St. Louis City SC, while Fanatics Sportsbook has partnered with Boyd Gaming.
ESPN Bet and Caesars Sportsbook utilised their parent companies’ established casino holdings in Missouri, including Hollywood Casino, River City Casino, Harrah’s Kansas City, and Horseshoe St. Louis.
Underdog secured its entry through a deal with the Kansas City Royals.
Missouri continues shaping betting framework
Before betting officially begins, several regulatory steps remain.
Operators will be permitted to open user account registration and funding from midnight on 17 November, provided all processes comply with state regulations.
The Missouri Gaming Commission will formally implement its sports betting rules on 30 November, just one day before the market opens. Any amendments to internal controls or house rules must be submitted before that date.
Eventually, should it choose to do so, the MGC can issue up to 19 retail sports betting licences and 14 online licences.
It has not specified whether this will occur, and it appears unlikely such a high degree of saturation would be sustainable.
Missouri’s population is around 6.24 million, while the majority of its neighbouring states already have legal sports betting.
Issuing all 14 online licences, after tax and other financial obligations, would leave a very thin margin for each operator, which are unlikely to pull in significant numbers of bettors from across state lines.