Key Points
- Public hearing held on July 17, 2025
- Three operators applied for untethered licenses
- Sports betting launch set for December 1
The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) held a public hearing on July 17, 2025, to gather feedback on proposed sports betting regulations. The hearing, conducted in Jefferson City, focused on licensing rules for sportsbooks. No public comments were received during the session, which aligns with the state’s plan to launch legal sports betting by December 1, 2025.
This follows voter approval of Amendment 2 in November 2024, which legalized sports betting with a narrow margin of 0.15%. Under the new law, the MGC is tasked with regulating all sports betting activities, including online, retail, and mobile platforms.
License application process
Interest in Missouri’s betting market has been described as strong. In total, the MGC can issue up to 19 retail and 14 online licenses, with each of Missouri’s 13 casinos and six professional sports teams eligible for partnerships.
The MGC opened the sports betting license application window on May 15, 2025. Applications for two untethered online licenses, which allow operators to function without a casino or sports team partnership, were due by July 15.
Three operators—DraftKings, FanDuel, and Circa Sports—applied for these licenses as early as June 2025. BetMGM partnered with Century Casinos, and bet365 teamed up with the St. Louis Cardinals. Caesars and Penn Entertainment may also apply.
The commission will review these applications and announce the two selected licensees on August 15, following a hearing on August 13. Unsurprisingly, FanDuel and DraftKings, who funded the ballot initiative, are likely to lead the market.
Three supplier licenses were already submitted by Catalist, Gaming Labs International, and GeoComply. All other partnered retail and online license applications must be submitted by September 12 to meet the launch deadline.
Regulatory framework and timeline
Missouri’s sports betting framework, established by Amendment 2, sets a 10% tax on adjusted gross revenue. Revenue will fund the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund and education after covering regulatory costs.
The MGC’s rules will take effect on August 30, ensuring compliance and responsible gambling measures. The commission rejected emergency rules earlier in 2025, opting for a standard rulemaking process to allow public input. This decision delayed the launch from a potential summer start to the mandated December 1 date.
The MGC is working to ensure all licenses are issued simultaneously to maintain fairness among operators. Meanwhile, they’re doing so on a tight timeline to finalize rules and review applications. Missing the December 1 launch could violate the state constitution. It may also lead to lawsuits or lost revenue during peak betting periods.
