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Online sports betting is officially coming to Missouri — 13 months after voters approved legalization. The state’s gaming commission is finalizing plans to meet the Dec. 1, 2025, launch date. Regulators say online betting will begin at 12:01 a.m. local time that day.
Ahead of the launch, the Missouri Gaming Commission has issued two untethered online sports betting licenses to Circa and DraftKings. The commission is reviewing eight additional operators likely to receive temporary permits before the Day 1 launch.
10 online sportsbooks expected to launch in Missouri Dec. 1
With the launch date confirmed, attention is turning to which platforms will be available from the start. In an update released Sept. 12, the commission said it received 734 applications from sports betting operators and suppliers.
These applications were submitted ahead of the regulator’s deadline for platforms seeking to go live on Day 1. About 10 sportsbooks are now in the final stage of approval before the Dec. 1 start date. Regulators have also left open the possibility of granting additional licenses after the initial round.
Missouri Sportsbooks finalize day 1 applications
DraftKings and Circa Sports are already guaranteed to offer services in the state. Both platforms received untethered online sports betting licenses Aug. 15, 2025. These licenses allow them to provide betting markets without partnering with an in-state sports team or casino.
Eight other operators have advanced to the commission’s final selection stage for Day 1 approval:
- Caesars
- FanDuel
- ESPN Bet
- Fanatics
- Underdog
- Bet365
- BetMGM
- Kambi
With the Day 1 application window closed, the commission is reviewing each sportsbook’s house rules and internal controls. Required documentation must be submitted by Sept. 26.
After its review, the commission plans to issue temporary licenses for selected operators by Oct. 20. Approved platforms will be able to begin registration Nov. 12.
FanDuel, BetMGM secure Missouri sports betting market access
FanDuel initially applied for an untethered license but was not selected. Regulators chose Circa after considering the range of bettors it is expected to attract. FanDuel subsequently entered a market-access partnership with St. Louis City FC.
BetMGM has announced a partnership with Century Casinos. Under the agreement, BetMGM will operate online sports betting in Missouri using Century’s license. Fanatics partnered with Boyd Gaming, and Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals have partnered with Bet365.
Penn Sports Interactive submitted its application for ESPN Bet through Hollywood Casino and River City Casino. Caesars filed through Harrah’s Kansas City and Horseshoe St. Louis, which are both approved to operate in-person sportsbooks.
Underdog and Kambi have yet to announce market-access partners, though announcements are expected in the coming days.
Key games for Missouri’s first month of online sports betting
With betting set to go live at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 1, Missouri bettors will miss out on NFL Week 13 markets but will still be able to wager on that week’s New York Giants–New England Patriots game. St. Louis Blues home games will also be available for betting.
Missouri bettors will miss the entire college football regular season but will be able to wager on the annual Army-Navy game Dec. 13, along with conference championship games that follow. Starting in 2026, bettors will have access to full-season betting on college and professional sports.
Inside the ballot campaign that legalized online sports betting
Missouri’s path to online sports betting began with a petition led by the state’s six professional sports franchises. The campaign received major funding from FanDuel and DraftKings, which together spent more than $38 million. Five of the state’s teams each contributed more than $300,000.
Backed by the Winning for Missouri Education group, the measure sought to overturn the state’s ban on online sports betting. After gathering more than 250,000 verified signatures, the measure appeared on the ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment. It narrowly passed Nov. 5, 2024, with just over 50% of voters in favor.
Industry projections estimate that Missouri’s online sports betting market could generate up to $4.5 billion in annual wagers and $500 million in gross revenue. The state will apply a 10% tax on those earnings.
