Sports enthusiasts Fanatics secure a license in Missouri, joining the growing list of sportsbooks operating in the state.
Missouri is gearing up to launch sports gambling in 2025, and the race for mobile betting licenses has reached its climax. As of August 15, 2025, DraftKings and Circa Sports have secured the only two untethered mobile betting licenses, making them the frontrunners in the state's mobile sports betting market.
FanDuel, though a close contender, will pursue tethered licenses through partnerships with established land-based casinos or local professional sports teams. Unlike DraftKings, Circa Sports, and FanDuel, no other companies have publicly competed for these untethered licenses.
The Missouri Gaming Commission has awarded these licenses exclusively to DraftKings and Circa Sports following a competitive process. Operators like BetMGM, Fanatics, ESPN BET, and others are instead focusing on the tethered license process, with application submissions due by September 12, 2025.
Fanatics, the fifth company to have formally gained a license in Missouri, is set to operate a sportsbook in the state. They will be competing with FanDuel, Circa Sports, and DraftKings for a share of the market. Given the limited number of available mobile licenses in Missouri, companies may need to have a Plan B in place.
Fanatics plans to pursue both a land-based and a mobile license in Missouri. In a potential future where advertising is restricted, having access to brick-and-mortar venues could prove beneficial. The details about the local sponsor for Fanatics are still being discussed.
Sportradar, a provider of data solutions, is among the other licensed parties in Missouri. Missouri marks the 24th jurisdiction in the United States where Fanatics has expanded its operations.
Another meeting with applicants who wish to operate without a deal with a sports team or a land-based venue is due on August 13. BetMGM is among the companies looking to complete the certification process in Missouri, but they will be operating under the tethered license system.
Untethered licenses generate the bulk of sports betting handle, making them particularly valuable for independent statewide mobile sports betting. As the market develops, it will be interesting to see how the competition unfolds between DraftKings, Circa Sports, FanDuel, and Fanatics in Missouri.
- Despite being a close contender, FanDuel will pursue tethered licenses through partnerships with established land-based casinos or local professional sports teams, setting them apart from DraftKings and Circa Sports, who have secured the only two untethered mobile betting licenses in Missouri.
- Fanatics, a company that will operate a sportsbook in Missouri, plans to pursue both a land-based and a mobile license, emphasizing the importance of having a Plan B in place due to the limited number of available mobile licenses in the state.
- In addition to Fanatics, Sportradar, a provider of data solutions, is one of the other licensed parties in Missouri, marking the 24th jurisdiction in the United States where Fanatics has expanded its sports-betting operations.
