Is Sports Betting Legal in Missouri? Comprehensive Guide to Missouri Sports Betting Laws

Through a referendum held on November 5, 2024, Missouri joined 38 other U.S. states and Washington, D.C., which allow sports betting. However, this does not mean that Missouri residents can place their first bets just yet. They will have to wait until the market is officially launched. What will sports betting in Missouri look like, and when will bettors gain access?

Understanding Missouri Sports Betting Laws

Although Missouri has already legalized sports betting, the path to this decision was long and difficult, marked by numerous unsuccessful disputes and lengthy discussions about how to legalize it. Despite the expectations of the state’s residents, legislators struggled to reach a consensus for years.

The repeal of the PASPA Act in 2018 opened the door to legalization, and the topic of potentially regulating the field was raised very quickly. In January 2018, Representative Bart Korman introduced HB 2320, aimed at initiating discussions about the future of sports betting in Missouri. The bill quickly gained support from MLB and NBA, which sought to secure their own interests. These interests were reflected in subsequent bills, including SB 1013 and HB 2535.

Later that year, Senator Denny Hoskins and Representative Dean Plocher introduced new bills, SB 44 and HB 119, with Representative Plocher expressing hope that the topic of legalizing sports betting in Missouri would return in 2019.

However, disputes over the shape of regulations, integrity fees, and online registration stalled progress in 2018, and the same scenario repeated in 2019. No significant advancements were made toward legal sports betting in Missouri that year.

The following years were similarly marked by failed attempts to regulate the betting market, and the COVID-19 pandemic further complicated matters. Debates in 2021 and 2022 saw continued disputes over regulatory conditions. Participants hesitated to support proposed bills unless they included provisions addressing their specific interests.

Legalization of Sports Betting in Missouri

After years of unsuccessful efforts, a coalition of professional sports teams in Missouri and major commercial operators, named “Winning for Missouri Education,” decided to bypass the legislative process and organize a petition to place sports betting on the November 2024 ballot.

In August 2024, Missouri’s Secretary of State confirmed that enough signatures had been collected to include a constitutional amendment legalizing sports betting on the November ballot.

A campaign was launched to educate residents about the issue and the potential benefits of legalizing sports betting. However, opponents of the amendment also organized efforts to dissuade Missouri residents from voting in favor.

FanDuel and DraftKings invested $40 million in an informational campaign, significantly outspending opponents supported by Caesars. These large investments paid off, resulting in a narrow victory for supporters of sports betting. Missouri residents voted to approve Amendment 2, making sports betting legal. However, this does not mean the legal market has already launched.

When Will Missouri Launch Its Sports Betting Market?

Experts predict that sports betting could be launched by mid-to-late summer 2025. The Missouri Gaming Commission is currently working on developing regulations and licensing procedures to ensure that the first legal sports bets in Missouri can be placed by December 1, 2025, at the latest.

Current Legal Framework

As it stands, sports betting in Missouri is legal, but the market has not yet been launched. It is expected that sports betting will go live in the summer of 2025, just before the 2025 NFL season.

Up to 21 licenses will be available, with 13 allocated to land-based casinos, 6 to Missouri sports teams, and 2 independent licenses.

Other Forms of Gambling in Missouri

Missouri law permits casinos to operate, but only on riverboats along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. There are currently 13 licensed casinos in the state, which are also the only locations offering legal poker rooms.

Horse racing is legal in Missouri, but no tracks are currently operational. By law, bets can only be placed in person at racetracks.

The state also operates a lottery, which has been active since 1986. The Missouri Lottery offers various games, including scratch-offs, drawings, and games like Powerball.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Missouri?

Yes, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) are legal in Missouri. They were legalized in 2016 under HB 1941. Under state law, DFS platforms must meet several requirements, including verifying players’ identities and ages and offering self-exclusion programs.

DFS operators in Missouri must also bear the costs of an initial background check (up to $50,000), pay an annual licensing fee of $10,000 or 10% of the previous year’s net revenue, and pay an annual tax of 11.5% of the previous year’s net revenue. These strict conditions have been the subject of past discussions.

Online Sports Betting in Missouri

Residents of Missouri will have to wait a little longer for the launch of the state’s legal sports betting market. However, after years of delays, the prospect now seems closer than ever.

Launching the market will allow Missouri to tap into the full potential of this entertainment sector. Without legal options, bettors have often turned to unregulated operators.

Offshore Operators in Missouri

As in other states where players had to wait for sports betting legalization, Missouri also developed a black market. Offshore operators offered their services to Missouri residents despite not being authorized by state law.

Operating outside the law posed significant risks. These operators were not required to provide self-exclusion tools or follow other responsible gambling measures mandated for licensed DFS operators.

Additionally, offshore operators did not pay licensing fees or taxes to the state budget. While the new legal framework aims to change this, attracting customers from offshore operators to licensed ones may initially prove challenging. Nevertheless, Missouri has taken a step in the right direction.

How to Bet on Sports in Missouri

Currently, it is not yet possible to place sports bets in Missouri. Residents need to be patient as regulations, market launch preparations, and the arrival of commercial operators are already underway. Once the market is launched, legal betting will be available both online and at retail locations.

It is expected that trusted operators in other states, such as BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics, and FanDuel, will quickly enter the Missouri market.

What Sports Can You Bet on in Missouri?

Once the market launches and major operators enter the scene, Missouri residents will have access to a wide range of sports betting options. These will undoubtedly include the most popular sports such as:

• Football
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Ice Hockey
• Tennis
• Soccer

In addition to these, players will also be able to wager on less mainstream sports. With the variety of options offered by legal operators in the state, everyone is likely to find something of interest.

What Types of Bets Can You Place in Missouri?

Just like with sports disciplines, the offerings of legal operators will feature a broad selection of betting types once the market launches. These will include:

• Moneyline (Winner Bets): Bet on which team or athlete will win a given event.
• Point Spread: The bookmaker sets a point difference between teams, and you bet whether the favorite will win by more points than the spread or if the underdog will lose by fewer points than the spread.
• Over/Under Bets (Total Points): The bookmaker sets the predicted total points in a game, and you bet whether the actual total will be over or under that number.
• Live Bets: Place bets during the event, with odds changing dynamically based on the game’s progression.
• Parlays: Combine several bets into one, increasing the potential payout but also the risk.
• Prop Bets: Bet on specific events during the game, e.g., who will score the first basket.

Similar to other states, Missouri operators are also expected to offer a variety of more advanced and detailed betting options, providing players with plenty of opportunities to explore.

For updates and changes regarding sports betting availability in Missouri, visit the state regulator’s website or the US iGaming Hub.

FAQs About Sports Betting in Missouri

Is sports betting legal in Missouri?

Yes, sports betting in Missouri is legal, but the market has not yet been launched.

When will the sports betting market launch in Missouri?

The market is expected to launch in 2025, no later than December 1, 2025.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports legal in Missouri?

Yes, Daily Fantasy Sports have been legal and regulated since 2016.

Are FanDuel and DraftKings available in Missouri?

No, FanDuel and DraftKings cannot yet operate in Missouri for sports betting, but they are expected to enter the market once it launches.