Missouri Sports Betting Set to Launch December 1, 2025

A Big Win for Missouri

“This is the constitutional deadline,” said Chair Jan M. Zimmerman, ensuring all licensing and background checks are done right. After years of stalled bills and a tight voter approval in 2024, the state’s finally joining the US betting scene.

With applications open since May 15 and major operators like DraftKings and FanDuel circling, Missouri’s betting market is set to spark big economic buzz by NFL Week 13.

The Commission’s got a tight plan to hit the December 1 target. The licensing window kicked off May 15, 2025, with untethered online betting applications due by July 15.

“We’re ensuring everything’s solid,” Zimmerman said, noting tethered and partner licenses wrapped up by September 12. Applicants for direct licenses faced the Commission on August 13, with two selected by August 15.

The process includes rigorous background checks and system tests to meet state standards. Despite hopes for a summer launch, Secretary of State Denny Hoskins nixed emergency rules, pushing the timeline to the constitutional deadline.

The Long Road to Legalization

Missouri’s journey to legal betting was no cakewalk. After PASPA’s repeal in 2018, dozens of legislative efforts fizzled. “We were losing tax revenue to Kansas and Illinois,” a Commission report noted, with GeoComply data showing Missourians crossing borders to bet.

Pro teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals, backed by operators like DraftKings, pushed hard, funding a campaign for Amendment 2. In November 2024, voters narrowly passed it, with just over 50% support, greenlighting sports betting.

Come December 1, Missouri’s betting market will hit the ground running, aligning with NFL Week 13 for maximum buzz.

The state’s expected to draw bettors from Kansas City and St. Louis, clawing back revenue lost to neighboring states. Operators must meet strict consumer protections and tax rules, ensuring a safe, regulated vibe.