After years of legislative struggles and a razor-thin voter referendum, Missouri's sports betting industry is finally taking concrete form. The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) has officially begun accepting license applications this week, confirming a December 1 launch date that will bring the Show-Me State into the regulated sports wagering fold just in time for the NFL playoffs and college bowl season.
The MGC has structured the application process with multiple deadlines, creating a tiered approach for different license types. Applications are now being accepted following unanimous approval from the Commission after review by Governor Mike Kehoe's office.
For operators seeking one of the two coveted "untethered" Direct Mobile Licenses—which don't require partnership with existing gaming facilities—the timeline is particularly aggressive:
Applications must be submitted by July 15
Hearings scheduled for August 13
Successful applicants announced August 15
For all other applicants seeking licenses through existing casinos or professional sports teams, applications must be completed by September 12 to ensure readiness for the December launch.
Although the state's licensing rules don't officially take effect until August 30, regulators proactively opened the application window to give operators sufficient preparation time—a move designed to prevent further delays in a process that has already faced significant setbacks.
Under the constitutional amendment approved by voters last November, Missouri's sports betting market will feature up to 19 retail licenses and 14 online licenses. The state's 13 casinos and excursion gambling boats are eligible to apply for sports betting licenses, with each casino entitled to two online skins.
Additionally, Missouri's six professional sports teams can host retail sportsbook locations and partner with online operators. Teams eligible for licenses include:
MLB's St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals
NHL's St. Louis Blues
NFL's Kansas City Chiefs
MLS's St. Louis City SC
NWSL's Kansas City Current
The licensing structure includes significant financial requirements. Retail sportsbook licenses cost $250,000, while mobile licenses come with a $500,000 price tag. Mobile licenses will remain valid for five years before requiring renewal.
The race to secure position in Missouri's emerging market is already underway. FanDuel confirmed intentions to operate in what will become the 39th state with legal sports betting. DraftKings, ESPN BET, and BetMGM are among other prominent brands expected to pursue Missouri licenses.
Some partnerships have already formed, most notably with the St. Louis Cardinals announcing bet365 as their official sports betting partner in March. This collaboration grants the international operator access to a sports wagering license when the market opens.
Other casino operators with existing footprints in Missouri likely to participate include Caesars, PENN Entertainment (Hollywood Casino), Bally's, Boyd Gaming, and Century Casinos—though interestingly, Caesars had opposed Amendment 2 that legalized sports betting in the state.
The path to legal sports betting in Missouri has been contentious. Voters narrowly approved the constitutional amendment in November 2024, with the measure passing by less than half a percentage point—a margin of fewer than 7,500 votes.
Further complications arose when Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who had opposed sports betting during his time in the legislature, denied the Commission's attempt to accelerate the process through emergency rules in February. This intervention effectively pushed back the timeline, dashing hopes for a summer launch that MGC Chair Jan Zimmerman had initially targeted.
The December 1 launch date is now firm, as the constitutional amendment requires the state's sports betting sector to be operational by this date. While Missouri bettors will miss the majority of the NFL season, they'll still catch the final month of regular-season games—including a prime-time matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans on December 7—plus the entire NFL playoffs and College Football Playoff.
When operational, Missouri's sports betting market will feature a 10% tax on wagering revenue. The tax proceeds will primarily benefit education programs throughout the state, though the first $5 million annually is earmarked for the state's Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund.
This tax rate positions Missouri in the lower to middle range compared to other states, potentially making it an attractive market for operators. Industry analysts expect Missouri to become a significant market due to its population of over 6 million and passionate sports fans supporting teams across multiple leagues.
The Missouri Gaming Commission has emphasized its commitment to establishing a responsible gaming environment, with consumer protections and problem gambling resources in place from day one. These measures were key factors in gaining voter approval and remain central to the regulatory framework.
For Missouri residents who have watched neighboring states like Illinois, Iowa, and Tennessee enjoy legal sports betting for years, the December launch represents the culmination of a long-awaited expansion of gaming options in the Show-Me State.