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Missouri residents have come a long way to see the dream of placing bets on their favorite sports come true. Now the wait is almost over, with sports betting launch expected by December 1, 2025 at the latest, possibly sooner.
This reality came not just from the legislative body but from the state’s six pro teams, who formed a coalition and submitted over 340,000 signatures in May 2024 to place the measure on the November 2024 ballot.
When the time came, Amendment 2 ed by a razor-thin margin, with 50.1% voting yes to legalize sports betting in the Show Me State, compared to 49.9% voting no.
Missouri sports betting timeline in question after rule rejection
While the launch was initially targeted for June 30, 2025, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ February rejection of the Missouri Gaming Commission‘s (MGC) emergency rule makes this unlikely, setting the latest launch date as December 1, 2025.
Hoskins said the emergency rules didn’t meet the state’s requirements. Now, they’ll have to go through the regular review process, which will likely slow things down.
Given his long-standing opposition to sports betting legislation, Hoskins’ lack of enthusiasm for the launch did not come as a surprise. However, if the launch occurs as planned, Missourians might be able to place wagers on the 2025 NFL season.
What gambling options are available in Missouri?
While the state is gradually working to accommodate more gambling options, real-money online casinos in Missouri still remain illegal.
Nonetheless, residents have been ing time with these other legal gambling options like lottery, social sportsbooks, and Daily Fantasy Sports contests. However, they are only allowed to carry out peer-to-peer contests, as the state asked to discontinue offering house-versus-player contests.
More recently, social gaming products with real money prizes have also appeared to fill the void. That means Fliff, which is the next-best thing to a real sportsbook in the state while waiting for launch.
Missouri has permitted horse racing betting at racetracks within the state since 1984, though none are operating anymore.
When sports betting goes live, residents can place wagers through
- Mobile apps
- Retail betting at land-based casinos
- Betting kiosks at pro sports venues and stadiums
With Amendment 2, Missouri’s six professional sports teams will become even more integrated into the local sports scene, as they have permission to open retail sports betting locations around their stadiums and roll out their own branded online betting platforms.
Licenses up for grabs, with a 10% tax rate set
Missouri will issue 19 retail and 21 online sports betting licenses, with each of the six professional sports franchises and 13 land-based casinos eligible for one of each.
The MGC is making the license applications available on May 15, and the deadline to apply is August 30.
The St. Louis Cardinals already made a head start when they partnered with trying to stop sports betting, you wonder if they’ll just watch from the sidelines. But my guess is they’ll probably just count their losses and try to get a piece of the action with a mobile betting license.
The MGC also said they can award up to two standalone Category 3 licenses. These licenses allow operators to offer sports wagering in the state through an online platform without being tied to a specific casino.
Missouri’s setting up a 10% tax on sports betting, which seems like a decent deal for the companies involved. And you’ll need to be 21 years of age to get in on the action, which is the usual age limit you see around.
So, if you’re a sports fan of legal age in Missouri, get ready, because it won’t be long before you can bet on your favorite teams online and in person.
