With only a few months away from the launch of Missouri’s regulated betting market, another major player is making its move. Fanatics found its market access partner in Boyd Gaming on Monday, as the online sports betting operator sought to enter the Missouri market after failing to secure an untethered wagering license in the state.
This new partnership allows Fanatics to provide online sports betting in Missouri under Boyd’s license. The agreement includes plans to establish physical sportsbooks at two Boyd locations: Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City and Ameristar Casino Resort and Spa St. Charles, pending regulatory approvals.
These retail sportsbooks will feature odds supplied by Fanatics’ own trading team, bringing their unique offerings to Missouri bettors.
Unlikely Partnership with Boyd Gaming
Earlier this month, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) confirmed that Fanatics had applied for a sports betting license, marking them as the first to seek a retail license in the state.
While Boyd Gaming has traditionally partnered with FanDuel for its properties outside of Nevada, recent developments have shifted the landscape. FanDuel recently announced a market-access agreement with Major League Soccer’s St. Louis City SC, just days after the MGC awarded stand-alone digital licenses to Circa Sports and DraftKings.
Following the multi-year deal, the company confirmed, “all development and trading of sports betting markets will be done in-house by Fanatics.”
The deadline for all wagering applications is set for September 12, with the MGC planning to issue licenses between that date and the anticipated launch on December 1.
Missouri Market to Feature All the Big Names
The Missouri sports betting scene is shaping up to be a major hub for top operators. As the only state to launch a legal US betting market in 2025, the state is set to offer up to 21 licenses, and major players are eager to participate.
FanDuel, bet365, and BetMGM have already announced their plans, with BetMGM partnering with Century Casino & Hotel Cape Girardeau and bet365 aligning with the St. Louis Cardinals. Meanwhile, FanDuel recently struck a deal with St. Louis CITY SC.
While Underdog Sports has applied for a tethered license, it has yet to reveal its partner. Other notable operators like Caesars Sportsbook and ESPN Bet are expected to enter the market as well, given their existing casino operations in Missouri.
Although Caesars and Bally’s haven’t confirmed their strategies, PENN Entertainment has indicated plans to launch ESPN Bet both online and at its retail locations.
Source: SBCAmericas
