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With the Missouri online betting market set to launch on December 1, 2025, the state regulator has confirmed that three sportsbooks have moved to fill the two available untethered license spots.
DraftKings, FanDuel, and Circa were announced as the operators, and while the application deadline was July 15, a last-minute submission on July 16 was accepted, as it had been postdated.
Unlike tethered licenses, which require partnerships with land-based casinos or professional sports teams, untethered licenses allow operators to enter the market independently, potentially saving them millions of dollars in annual market access agreement payments.
The new Missouri regulatory framework permits up to 14 online sports betting licenses and 19 retail licenses. The Gaming Commission plans to announce the winners of the untethered license on August 15, following a public hearing set for August 13.
Statutory requirements for these licenses emphasize promotional spending and potential revenue generation, which may give an edge to established players like FanDuel and DraftKings. Both companies have invested heavily in player acquisition over the years and currently account for more than two-thirds of all legal online sports bets in the United States.
BetMGM and bet365 Expected to Launch in December
BetMGM and bet365 are two major players gearing up for a launch in Missouri this December, having already secured the necessary partnerships to support their entry. BetMGM confirmed its collaboration with Century Casinos in late May, allowing it to operate its online platform and retail sportsbooks throughout the state, depending on Century’s approval.
Meanwhile, bet365 has established a multi-year partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals, granting them access to the upcoming market in Missouri and further enhancing their operational reach.
In addition to these major players, Underdog has emerged as the only company seeking both retail and online licenses, though it has yet to announce a market access partner. Other suppliers, such as Catalist, Gaming Labs International, and GeoComply, have also submitted their applications for licenses.
No Show for Public Hearing
Yesterday (Jun 17), the Missouri Gaming Commission held a public hearing to gather input on the state’s sports wagering rules, but the session saw no attendees. Despite the importance of the event, not a single member of the public, including potential sportsbook applicants, turned out to share their thoughts.
The hearing primarily focused on the various types of sportsbook licenses that Missouri plans to offer as it prepares for a scheduled December launch. The public comment period regarding these rules had closed just a day earlier, on July 16, hinting that the lack of feedback might not be surprising.
The Journey to December
Missouri’s path to legalizing online sports betting has been a challenging one. Initially, state lawmakers rejected multiple attempts to legalize it over several legislative sessions.
In response, DraftKings and FanDuel teamed up with major professional sports teams to push for a constitutional amendment, which ultimately made it to the 2024 ballot after gathering enough signatures and overcoming a late legal challenge. Voters narrowly approved the measure last November, marking a significant turning point in the state’s history.
The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) was then tasked with creating the rules for legal sportsbooks and aimed for a June 30 launch. They sought emergency regulations to expedite the process, arguing that the state was missing out on millions in tax revenue due to unregulated offshore operators.
However, efforts to fast-track these regulations were blocked by Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who deemed they didn’t meet the necessary emergency standards. This setback pushed the launch date back to December 1.
Now, the proposals are under consideration by the legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. If the committee approves the MGC’s regulation, Missouri can finalize the rules by September 30, giving the MGC two months to review and approve the necessary sportsbook licenses.
Source: YogoNet
