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Missouri sports betting enters a pivotal week as the application window for direct mobile licenses closes today, with a public comment hearing scheduled for this Friday.
These two milestones reflect Missouri’s evolving approach to sports betting. Direct mobile licenses represent a key regulatory step, while Friday’s public comment hearing offers lawmakers and regulators a chance to gauge public sentiment ahead of the state’s December 1 launch.
Direct license applicants will be decided by the middle of next month
Missouri’s sports betting framework permits both mobile and in-person (“retail”) wagering, each governed by distinct rules. In most cases, operators must partner with a licensed Missouri casino or professional sports team to qualify for a license.
For instance, Century Casino & Hotel Cape Girardeau partnered with BetMGM earlier this year—an agreement that paves the way for BetMGM to secure a sports betting license. The St. Louis Cardinals also announced a marketing partnership with bet365 in March, which is expected to evolve into a full sportsbook collaboration with bet365. Meanwhile, six companies have formally applied for operator or supplier licenses: FanDuel, DraftKings, and Underdog Fantasy (operators), along with GeoComply, Catalist, and Gaming Labs International (suppliers).
In addition, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) offers up to two “untethered” mobile sports betting licenses, meaning operators can apply without affiliating with a casino or sports team. Applications for these licenses close today, and recipients are expected to be announced by August 15.
The MGC hasn’t disclosed which operators submitted applications. Untethered licenses could be especially attractive, as they allow operators to retain full revenue without needing to split profits with a casino partner.
License fees are set at $250,000 for tethered operators and $500,000 for untethered applicants, per Missouri’s sports betting legislation.
In-person public comments will take place on Thursday
The MGC will host a public hearing at 10 a.m. Thursday at its Jefferson City headquarters, where residents can share feedback on Missouri’s proposed sports betting rules. The hearing follows a two-week comment period during which the public could email input on specific regulatory provisions.
The hearing could draw passionate feedback, given how narrowly the legalization measure passed last November, by just 0.1%, or fewer than 3,000 votes. That slim margin suggests Thursday’s session may include vocal opposition to parts of the state’s proposed framework.
Projecting what the Missouri sports betting market could look like
Missouri could become a top-10 sports betting market once operations stabilize—a process that typically takes about a year. Beyond prestige, a mature market could bring significant tax revenue through the state’s 10% tax on gross gaming revenue.
Based on per-capita revenue from similarly sized sports betting states, Missouri sportsbooks could generate an estimated $172 million in gross revenue during the first three months of the NFL season. However, because the market won’t launch until December 1, the state is projected to miss out on $17.2 million in tax revenue by launching after the busiest betting window of the year.
| State | Total revenue from September to November 2024 | 2024 population (estimate) | Revenue per capita (average) |
| Arizona | $218,272,757 | 7,582,384 | $28.79 |
| Massachusetts | $208,283,016 | 7,136,171 | $28.19 |
| Indiana | $159,157,350 | 6,924,275 | $22.99 |
| Maryland | $197,372,081 | 6,263,220 | $31.51 |
| Colorado | $150,086,924 | 5,957,493 | $25.19 |
| Total | $933,172,128 | 33,863,543 | $27.56 |
| Missouri (projected) | $172,105,287 | 6,245,466 | $27.56 |
Missouri’s late start may cost millions upfront, but long-term growth still positions the state as a major player in the national betting landscape.
