Missouri Sports Betting Readies for Launch with bet365 Agreement by St. Louis Cardinals
The Lowdown on St. Lou's Betting Partnership
It's full steam ahead for the St. Louis Cardinals as they dive into a groundbreaking venture with bet365, making them the very first mobile sports betting partner for any Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise. This swanky multi-year pact drops just in time before legal sportsbooks are set to hit Missouri, thanks to a green light from citizens during November's vote.
Initially, we were hyped for a summer 2025 launch, but things have been pushed back to later in the year due to a snag in nailing down regulations. Nevertheless, bet365's branding is set to plaster Ballpark Village with their insignia, appear during broadcasts, and take over team-related advertising spots.
Party time for bet365! The crew snagged the naming rights for the bet365 Bridge, found on the right-center field second level of Busch Stadium. Exclusive seating and refreshment deals are also up for grabs, as bet365 moves in to get comfy.
With a passion for sports betting that's been burning for quite some time, the Cardinals' President Bill DeWitt III, clearly couldn't be more thrilled about the new partnership.
Fun fact: did you know Missouri's legal sports betting launch is officially on deck for December 1, 2025? However, the cool cats in charge have been working their butts off to get things up and running earlier, perhaps as early as fall 2025. Noteworthy details about the licensing timeline include:
- Rules approval: Expected from the governor's office by May 13, 2025
- Application window: Opens May 14 and closes August 30, 2025
- Targeted launch period: October-November 2025 is the go-to, with football season giving everyone a solid kick in the pants to get things moving.
Regulators humbly brag that they'll bend over backwards to get things live ahead of that December 1 deadline. Keep an eye out for bigwigs like FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics making a splash, along with up to 40 potential mobile apps through partnerships with Missouri's 13 casinos.
The St. Louis Cardinals have partnered with bet365, becoming the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise to partner with a mobile sports betting company, with bet365 officially entering the sports-betting market in Missouri, where legal sportsbooks are set to launch in December 2025. The multi-year deal sees bet365 branding featured prominently at the Cardinals' Ballpark Village, on the bet365 Bridge at Busch Stadium, and during team broadcasts. The Cardinals' President, Bill DeWitt III, is "thrilled" about the partnership. In addition, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics, among others, are expected to enter the Missouri market through partnerships with the state's 13 casinos, aiming to launch before the December 1, 2025, date, with the application window opening on May 14 and closing on August 30, 2025.
