On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the Missouri Gaming Commission heard from Circa Sports, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Each wants one of two untethered mobile sports betting licenses.
These licenses let winners offer online betting without tying to a Missouri casino or sports team, which saves them from sharing profits. The commission will pick winners on Friday, August 15, with sports betting starting in Missouri on December 1.
Missouri voters passed Amendment 2 in November 2024, legalizing sports betting and making Missouri the 26th state to allow wagering. The amendment, which passed under Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 313, sets the rules for sports betting.
The law taxes betting revenue at 10%, with funds going to education. This was a big reason voters supported Amendment 2. DraftKings and FanDuel poured millions into the campaign to pass it.
Currently the Missouri Gaming Commission oversees licensing and compliance, ensuring fair play and consumer protection. The state opened license applications on May 15, 2025.
Five companies applied so far: DraftKings and Underdog Sports applied on June 11, FanDuel followed on July 9, Circa Sports on July 15, and Fanatics on August 5. Those missing out on untethered licenses, like Fanatics and Underdog, need a casino or pro team partner to operate.
BetMGM and bet365 have partnerships but haven’t applied yet. BetMGM joined Century Casinos, and bet365 teamed with the St. Louis Cardinals.
All retail and mobile license applications are due by September 12 for the December 1 launch. On Wednesday, the commission will also finalize 76 rules to ensure a smooth start.
Missouri’s betting market faces hurdles. Five neighboring states—Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Tennessee—already have online betting. Kansas City and St. Louis sit near these states, so many locals already bet across borders, which may limit new bettors in Missouri.
Even so, the December 1 launch will bring mobile and retail betting to Missouri. Fans can bet on sports like football, basketball, and baseball via apps or at casinos. The untethered licenses give winners flexibility to offer promotions and competitive odds.
Retail sites may include betting kiosks and lounges at casinos or stadiums. The launch aims to capture holiday season excitement, especially for NFL and college football games.
