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Sports betting is already legal in Missouri, and the industry is set to launch Dec. 1, 2025. While many residents eagerly await the rollout, there is also credible concern about gambling’s potential harms. For example, the University of Missouri has expressed worry about the well-being of its student-athletes, and one option under consideration is banning betting entirely for its campus community.
Gambling can be addictive and can contribute to a wide range of related problems. As a result, state authorities, sportsbook and casino operators, and other stakeholders have emphasized the need for strong responsible gambling measures.
How Missouri plans to protect bettors as sports wagering goes live
Responsible gambling focuses on control, balance and informed choice. In Missouri, all casinos — and, by extension, sportsbooks — are required by law to promote responsible gambling initiatives in their operations. The Missouri Gaming Association also runs a variety of responsible gambling programs funded by operators.
Missouri already has a robust responsible gambling infrastructure, and the same tools that aid casino players are expected to benefit sports bettors. Here’s how responsible gambling works in the Show-Me State:
Strict Code of Conduct for operators
Like Missouri casinos, sportsbooks will follow the American Gaming Association’s Code of Conduct, a set of ethical principles and voluntary guidelines. In addition to standards for security and fairness, the code emphasizes responsible gambling across all operations, including customer education, employee training, user verification and responsible marketing practices.
Player education and awareness
Educating bettors is one of the most effective ways to address problem gambling early. Sportsbooks will provide players with educational materials explaining the risks of gambling, and they are expected to participate in campaigns during Responsible Gaming Education Month, held each September.
KYC verification
The legal gambling age in Missouri is 21. Casinos and sportsbooks must enforce strict age controls and maintain zero-tolerance policies for underage gambling. This includes rigorous “know your customer,” or KYC, verification processes to confirm users’ ages and identities.
Counseling and therapy
People experiencing problem gambling may require professional support, and their families may need help as well. Missouri already offers several resources, including:
- Missouri Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-888-238-7633
- Missouri Department of Mental Health: Provides treatment and counseling for problem gamblers and their families.
- National Problem Gambling Helpline: Call 1-800-522-4700, text 800GAM, or chat via the National Council on Problem Gambling website.
- GamTalk: A free online peer-support forum for those affected by problem gambling.
- Gam-Anon: A support group for family members and friends of people with gambling problems, with meetings held online and in person.
- Gamblers Anonymous: A self-help group for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
Statewide self-exclusion
Casino players in Missouri may voluntarily ban themselves from all casinos through the Missouri Gaming Commission’s Disassociated Persons Program, which requires operators to block participants from all gambling activities. Likely, this program will also apply to sports bettors once the industry launches.
Operator controls and limits
Sportsbooks offer tools to help players manage their gambling behaviors, including:
- Deposit limits: Caps on how much a player can deposit within a set time period.
- Bet limits: Restrictions on the amount a player can wager on individual bets to encourage bankroll management.
- Loss limits: Limits on how much a player can lose before additional betting is restricted. Related tools, such as profit-and-loss statements and spending calculators, help players track activity.
- Time limits: Controls on how long a player can spend on a betting platform, often paired with reality-check notifications.
- Cool-off periods: Short-term breaks ranging from one day to several weeks.
- Self-exclusion: Long-term or permanent bans initiated by the player.
Proactive safeguards
State officials are aware of the risks associated with expanding gambling access. To prepare for legalized sports betting, Missouri has implemented several safeguards, including a $5 million compulsive-gambling fund dedicated to prevention, treatment and public awareness efforts.
