After years of legislative gridlock, Missouri sports betting is finally a reality – with residents of the Show-Me State just weeks away from letting fans place their first legal wagers.
The market is projected to generate $3.4 billion in handle in its first year, and at least nine operators are lined up for launch. Here’s everything you need to know about Missouri’s path to legalization, the key dates leading up to launch, and how bettors can get ready for Dec. 1.
📰 What happened in Missouri?
After years of false starts, Missouri voters narrowly approved a ballot measure in November 2024 – passing by just 2,961 votes – to legalize online and retail sports betting.
Regulators opened applications in May, finalized the rules in July, and have since licensed a competitive field of operators including DraftKings, FanDuel, Circa, BetMGM, Fanatics, and ESPN BET. Legal wagering officially begins Dec. 1 at 12:01 a.m. CT.
Missouri will not have in-stadium sportsbooks upon launch, but bettors will have access to mobile apps statewide as well as retail books at select casinos.
🔢 Key Missouri sports betting facts & figures
If you’re skimming, start here. These are the headline details Missouri bettors keep asking about — and what’s changed since our last update.
| Category | Fact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | Dec. 1, 2025 (12:01 a.m. CT) | Missouri Gaming Commission |
| Tax Rate | 10% wagering tax funding education | Covers (May 15, 2025) |
| Promo Spend | $100M+ combined (FanDuel & DraftKings) | Covers (Aug. 19, 2025) |
| Projected Year 1 Handle | $3.4B | Covers (Sept. 21, 2024) |
| Launch-Day Operators | DraftKings, FanDuel, Circa, BetMGM, Fanatics, ESPN BET + more | Covers (various links) |
| In-Stadium Sportsbooks | Not permitted — mobile & retail only | Covers (Sept. 23, 2025) |
| Bills | SB 852, SB 824 | Missouri Senate (SB 852 | SB 824) |
💰What Missouri bettors should expect
- 🚀 Pre-Registration: Lock in early Missouri sportsbook promos now to maximize launch-day value.
- 💰 Big Promos Week 1: Expect bonus bets and deposit matches — but always read the fine print on rollover requirements.
- 📱 Mobile-First Market: Stadium betting won’t be allowed; download apps ahead of time and enable geo-location.
- 📊 Competitive Lines: Circa’s low-hold model should force sharper pricing across the market.
- ⚠️ Tech Glitches Possible: Have multiple apps ready in case of launch-day downtime.
🔎 What’s different about Missouri?
Why this market isn’t cookie-cutter:
- No in-stadium books: It’s mobile + retail casino only, so plan to bet on your phone even when you’re at the game.
- Low-hold competition: Circa’s competitive pricing tends to lead to more user-friendly odds on moneylines/totals versus typical new-state launches.
- Border unwind: As Missourians stop crossing into Kansas, expect sharper pricing along the KC corridor and fewer “tourist” promos on the border.
💵 Missouri sports betting revenue & tax at a glance
Missouri taxes sportsbook revenue at 10%, with proceeds primarily earmarked for education; this rate is lower than the national average. With a projected $3.4B handle in Year 1, even small changes in hold % swing funding by millions:
| Hold | Gross Gaming Revenue | Tax Intake |
|---|---|---|
| 6% | $204M | $20.4M |
| 7% | $238M | $23.8M |
| 8% | $272M | $27.2M |
🕒 Missouri sports betting highlights
Prefer the 60-second version? This rapid timeline hits the turning points — from the razor-thin vote to the Dec. 1 go-live — with one-line context for each.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept. 16, 2025 | Missouri Gaming Commission confirms launch time; sportsbooks go live at 12:01 a.m. CT Dec. 1, giving bettors a full month of NFL & NBA action. |
| Aug. 15, 2025 | DraftKings & Circa win untethered licenses, allowing statewide mobile betting without a casino partner – a huge win for Circa. |
| May 15, 2025 | License applications open and 10% tax rate confirmed, primarily funding Missouri education initiatives. |
| Dec. 6, 2024 | Election officials certify ballot measure results; legalization passes by just 2,961 votes. |
| Nov. 5, 2024 | Missouri voters approve the ballot measure, paving the way for up to 14 operators to launch legal wagering. |
| May 2, 2024 | Pro sports coalition submits 300,000+ signatures to place sports betting on the November ballot. |
Want the receipts and deeper links? The full timeline below tracks every major move, with source articles and cross-links to the sections you’ll care about next.
📅 Full Missouri sports betting timeline
- Sept. 30, 2025: Underdog gains Missouri sports betting access through MLB's Kansas City Royals.
- Sept. 23, 2025: Missouri betting will begin without stadium sportsbooks; see mobile-first tips.
- Sept. 23, 2025: Dec. 1 launch threatens Kansas border handle; context in Key Facts.
- Sept. 16, 2025: Launch time confirmed – books can take bets at 12:01 a.m. CT Dec. 1; prep via launch-week checklist.
- Sept. 9, 2025: ESPN BET becomes at least the ninth applicant – see application deadline update.
- Aug. 28, 2025: Regulators confirm no legal wagers during the 2025 college football regular season; see Highlights.
- Aug. 25, 2025: Fanatics secures access via Boyd Gaming – retail + online rights.
- Aug. 19, 2025: Circa announces low-hold, sharp-friendly model – menu details; see Bettor Guidance.
- Aug. 15, 2025: DraftKings & Circa win “untethered” licenses – announcement; also reaction.
- July 3, 2025: Final rules approved, clearing the path to launch.
- May 15, 2025: Applications open + 10% tax confirmed; launch date set: Dec. 1.
- Dec. 6, 2024: Ballot results certified – measure passes by 2,961 votes; certification story.
- Nov. 5, 2024: Voters approve the sports betting ballot measure.
- Sept.–Oct. 2024: Campaign cash surges – DraftKings +$5M, FanDuel/Caesars donations, $4M opposition spend.
- May 2, 2024: Pro-sports coalition submits signatures – submission story; ballot explainer: what voters need to know.
- Feb. 2, 2024: HB 2331 clears committee – committee report; bill text: HB 2331.
- Jan. 4, 2024: Lawmakers introduce two sports betting bills (SB 852 • text; SB 824 • text).
Missouri bettors can start funding accounts at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 17 – a full two weeks before bets go live at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 1.
✅ Market rules to check at launch
Before your first bet, confirm these with your sportsbook’s house rules and the MGC:
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College markets: Any restrictions on in-state schools or specific props.
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Prop limits: Player-prop availability and max bet caps at launch.
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Cash-out/void rules: How early payout, overtime, and abandoned events are handled.
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Offer eligibility: Whether pre-reg bonuses stack with Day-1 promos.
❓ Missouri sports betting FAQ
When does Missouri sports betting officially launch?
Sports betting launches at 12:01 a.m. CT on December 1, 2025, with both mobile apps and retail casino sportsbooks going live statewide. See the Highlights Timeline for key dates.
Can I place bets inside stadiums and arenas?
No. Missouri will not have in-stadium sportsbooks in place on launch day. Bettors can wager via mobile apps anywhere in the state (when geo-located) or at retail casino sportsbooks. See What Bettors Should Expect for mobile-first tips.
How many sportsbooks will be available on launch day?
At least nine operators are expected at launch – including DraftKings, FanDuel, Circa, BetMGM, Fanatics, and ESPN BET – with additional brands potentially joining after Dec. 1 as licenses are finalized.
What sports can I bet on in Missouri?
You can wager on all major professional and college sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, etc.). Specific market or prop restrictions, if any, will be outlined by the Missouri Gaming Commission and individual sportsbooks at launch.
What is the tax rate and where does the money go?
Missouri taxes sportsbook revenue at 10%. Note that this is not the tax rate players pay on bets or winnings; rather, it's what the sportsbooks funnel to the state government. The law directs most proceeds to education programs across the state. See the Key Facts & Figures section for a quick reference.
