A quiet Missouri Gaming Commission meeting means the state is still on track for a Dec. 1 sports betting launch. At least nine sportsbooks are set to go live.
Photo By – Ryan Butler.
Missouri gaming officials didn’t address changes to the pending sports betting launch during a meeting Wednesday, an expected development that reaffirms the state’s push for a Dec. 1 launch.
- Missouri sports betting launch remains on track for Dec. 1 despite earlier delays.
- Nine sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and ESPN BET, are positioned to go live.
- Online wagering is expected to drive more than 95% of the state’s betting handle.
The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) didn’t discuss the sportsbook rollout during a roughly 45-minute meeting. The MGC previously approved the launch timeline – and is required by law to have the state’s first legal sportsbooks approved by Dec. 1 – but it nevertheless underscores continued progress.
After originally targeting a June launch date, the MGC had to push it back to December after a request for “emergency” regulation approval was rejected by the Missouri Secretary of State. Without emergency approval, regulators can’t approve required pre-launch work until Nov. 30.
Missouri sportsbook lineup takes shape
Nine sportsbooks are already positioned to go live on Dec. 1 with potentially more applicants on the way.
The MGC already approved DraftKings and Circa Sportsbook for statewide mobile sports betting licenses. The two books earned “untethered” licenses that allow them to take bets without having to partner with one of the state’s professional sports teams or brick-and-mortar casinos.
FanDuel and bet365 partnered with MLS club St. Louis CITY SC and MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals, respectively. BetMGM has a market access deal with Century Casinos, and Fanatics is partnered with Boyd Gaming.
Caesars and PENN Entertainment both have market access deals for their respective sportsbooks through operations of Missouri brick-and-mortar casinos. Caesars Sportsbook and PENN’s ESPN BET are both set for Dec. 1 mobile launches.
Underdog applied for a mobile sports betting license but has not announced a market access partner.
No news is good news: The Missouri Gaming Commission didn’t discuss sports betting during a brief meeting today; state remains on pace for Dec. 1 statewide mobile sports betting launch with 9 sportsbooks (and potentially more) preparing to go live on that date
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) August 27, 2025
Hard Rock and BetRivers highlight a list of other potential Missouri sports betting applicants. Both operate casinos and mobile sportsbooks in neighboring Illinois but would need to partner with a Missouri casino or pro team before it can secure market access in the Show Me State.
The application deadline is Sept. 12 for any sportsbook that wants to start taking bets on the go-live date. The MGC will announce all licensees ahead of the launch.
Bally’s is the only other Missouri casino operator that has a mobile sportsbook. This gives Bally Bet direct access to a license, but it is unclear if it will launch in the state.
Caesars and PENN, which both operate three Missouri casinos, expect to open retail sportsbooks at all their properties. Fanatics is set to open books at both of Boyd’s Missouri properties, and Century will open an in-person sportsbook at its Cape Girardeau casino.
The Cardinals announced plans to open a retail book adjacent to Busch Stadium in the Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis after Dec. 1 and likely before Opening Day 2026. None of the other pro teams have announced in-person sportsbook plans.
Online wagering is expected to account for more than 95% of Missouri’s sports betting handle.