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Gaming Operators Lining up to Claim Sports Betting Licenses in Missouri

Sports Writer

Publish Date: Aug 13, 2025

Fact checked by: Sara Jane Gamelli

Key Points

DraftKings, FanDuel, Circa vie for two untethered sports betting operator licenses in Missouri
Missouri sports betting market will launch December 1, 2025
BetMGM and bet365 have deals in place to use tethered sports betting licenses in Show Me State

Three more sports betting operators will make an appeal for Missouri online sportsbook licenses this week. DraftKings and FanDuel are among the trio of companies that will present claims to the Missouri Gaming Commission for an untethered sports betting license in this state.

Missouri can launch legal sports betting on December 1 or later, thanks to passage of an amendment to the state constitution in 2024.

The law requires licenses for sports betting to be attached to an in-state gaming entity like a casino or a professional sports team. There are two licenses permitted that can be untethered.

FanDuel, DraftKings, Circa logos

Circa, DraftKings, and FanDuel will present arguments as to why they should acquire one of the two untethered licenses in Missouri today.

DraftKings and FanDuel hold nearly 65% of the market share in the U.S. for sports betting online. Both companies have deep cash reserves that may sway the members of the MGC in regards to their viability to pay licensing fees and deliver tax revenue.

For Circa, it will take a persuasive presentation from founder and CEO Derek Stevens to show how that smaller company makes sense for one of the untethered licenses.

Missouri will finally launch sports betting on Dec. 1

The Show Me State has long been keen on legalizing sports betting. It's home to one of the most popular and successful NFL teams, the Kansas City Chiefs, and also the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.

Both of those franchises have been vocal in support of legal sportsbooks, and can align with a sports betting company for an operator's license.

Underdog Sports is also seeking to secure an untethered license

BetMGM, bet365, and Fanatics have applied for tethered licenses in Missouri that would enable those companies to provide an online sports betting app here.

BetMGM is in cooperation with Century Casinos in Missouri, meaning it will secure one of the tethered licenses, In addition, bet365 Sportsbook has a partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals of MLB.

A decision on the untethered licenses for Missouri sports betting will come on Friday, August 15. Final deadline for retail and mobile license submissions in Missouri is September 15.

It's likely that the Missouri Gaming Commission will grant tethered licenses in the weeks following that deadline, but before mid-November, when testing and dry runs of sportsbooks will need to be accomplished.

In the latest news, Missouri is one of the few states with more than one major professional sports franchise that does not have any form of legal sports betting.

Under the law, the Missouri Gaming Commission can permit retail sportsbooks. It's possible that some casinos or possibly even a sports arena, could be home to a physical sportsbook location in the future.

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