Bidding Initiates for Missouri Sports Betting, Two Reservations Made for Entirely Virtual Wagering Platforms
Life, Gamble, Repeat: Missouri's Sports Betting Landscape Springs to Life
Get ready to place your bets, Missourians! After a nail-biting election in November 2024, sports betting has finally become legal in the Show-Me State, and the gaming commission is now accepting applications for both online and retail licenses.
The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) has officially kicked off the bidding period for sports betting licenses, about six months after the state's voters narrowly approved Amendment 2, legalizing sports betting on professional and college events. Just shy of 3,000 votes decided the fate of sports betting in Missouri.
License Applications and Fees
But enough chit-chat, let's dive into the details! If you're an aspiring operator hankering for a sportsbook license, you've got till July 15, 2025, to submit your bid for one of the exclusive two fully online sportsbook concessions. The MGC will dive deep into the submissions during an scheduled for August 13 and make their final decisions on August 15.
For all other retail and mobile sportsbook licenses, you've got till September 12 to submit your application. If you're one of the lucky ones, you'll receive your permit starting on December 1, 2025.
However, nothing comes for free - each retail sportsbook license will set you back $250K, while mobile licenses will cost you $500K.
The Wallet-Education Link
Don't fret, the tax man won't be grabbing too big a slice of your winnings. Missouri will tax oddsmakers' gross revenue at a reasonable 10%. Revenue generated will be funneled into K-12 public education, with the first $5 million in annual sports betting taxes earmarked for the Missouri Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund.
One of the major players already making a splash in the Missouri sports betting market is Caesars Entertainment. The company, which operates three Missouri casinos, spent almost $14 million opposing Amendment 2. Now, they plan to bid for one of the two fully remote licenses with their Caesars Sportsbook to slim the competition.
Alongside Caesars, other operators eligible for online and retail sportsbook licenses include Affinity Interactive, Bally's Corp., Boyd Gaming, Century Casinos, and Penn Entertainment.
Missouri, the 39th State to Join the Party
Once sports betting takes off in Missouri, it'll become the 39th state where sports wagering is regulated. Surrounded by eight other states with legal sports betting, Missourians will have more options than ever! The American Gaming Association (AGA) reported that sports bettors lost nearly $13.8 billion to sportsbooks in 2024, with online sportsbooks being regulated in 33 states. Just think, when it all rolls out in Missouri, it'll be a whole new ball game!
Launch Date for Sports Betting in Missouri:While the MGC details the application process, the exact date for when legal bets might begin hasn't been announced. But, mark your calendars - sports betting in Missouri is set to go live on December 1, 2025.
(Enrichment Data: Additional insights regarding the timeline for the Missouri Gaming Commission's licensing application process can be found below. Users seeking a more in-depth understanding of the subject are encouraged to explore the enrichment data.)
Timeline for MGC's Sports Betting License Application Process:- May 15, 2025: The licensing application period officially opens.- July 15, 2025: Licensing applications are due for direct (untethered) online sports betting licenses.- August 13, 2025: Applicants for direct online sports betting licenses may appear before the Missouri Gaming Commission.- August 15, 2025: The Missouri Gaming Commission announces the two selected direct online sports betting license applicants.- September 12, 2025: All other partnered retail and online sports betting license applications must be completed.
This process is part of the state's regulatory framework, which allows for up to 19 retail and 14 online licenses, with two untethered licenses available.
- Caesars Entertainment, a company with three Missouri casinos, is planning to bid for one of the two fully remote sportsbook licenses with their Caesars Sportsbook.
- Other operators eligible for online and retail sportsbook licenses in Missouri include Affinity Interactive, Bally's Corp., Boyd Gaming, Century Casinos, and Penn Entertainment.
- The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) has kicked off the bidding period for sports betting licenses, about six months after the state's voters approved Amendment 2.
- The MGC will accept applications for two fully online sportsbook concessionsuntil July 15, 2025, with final decisions being made on August 15.
- For all other retail and mobile sportsbook licenses, the application deadline is September 12, with permits being issued starting on December 1, 2025.
- Each retail sportsbook license will cost $250K, while mobile licenses will cost $500K.
- With sports betting taking off in Missouri, it will become the 39th state where sports wagering is regulated, joining eight other states with legal sports betting.
