Missouri Gears Up for December 1 Sports Betting Launch
The state of Missouri is in the final stages of preparing for the launch of legal sports wagering. Starting at 12:01 AM on December 1, 2025, sports betting will become legal across the state. This launch ends a 21-month gap in new state rollouts and will make Missouri the 39th state to permit some form of legal sports wagering. The process is currently in a pre-registration phase, allowing new users to sign up and fund accounts ahead of the go-live date.
Pre-Launch Period and Access
The ability to pre-register accounts with several licensed bookmakers began on Monday, November 17. Residents can now register and deposit funds with nine approved operators before the statewide start on December 1. This two-week window allows new customers to claim promotional bonuses before wagering officially begins.
However, bettors cannot place wagers before the scheduled launch time on December 1, 2025. This restriction applies to all licensed platforms. Once the market launches, qualified bettors can place bets from any location within Missouri state lines.
The legal foundation for this market was established when Amendment 2, a state constitutional amendment, narrowly passed in the November 2024 election. Operators in the state will face a 10% tax rate, which is one of the lowest in the nation.
Licensed Operators and Partnership Network
The Missouri Gaming Commission began accepting license applications in May 2025. Nine operators have been approved and are ready for the December 1 launch. This group includes a mix of major national brands and smaller, specialized bookmakers.
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DraftKings and Circa Sports each received one of the two available “untethered” licenses, meaning they are not tied to an existing casino. DraftKings expects to quickly become a market leader in terms of accepted wagers.
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BetMGM partnered with Century Casinos for its market access.
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Fanatics Sportsbook is working with Boyd Gaming.
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bet365 established a partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals.
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FanDuel is partnered with St. Louis City SC.
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Caesars Sportsbook will operate through its existing in-state casinos.
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Underdog will launch its sportsbook in Missouri after its debut in North Carolina.
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theScore Bet will be available through PENN Entertainment casinos, launching alongside its rebrand from ESPN BET.
Industry leaders expressed excitement about the market entry. Johnny Avello of DraftKings noted the state’s large base of passionate sports fans and multiple professional teams in St. Louis and Kansas City. Matt Prevost of BetMGM stated the launch represents the company’s 30th market, providing a “safe and secure way to engage in the games.”
Timing and Market Incentives
The launch is strategically timed to align with the peak of the sports calendar, as the NFL, NBA, NHL, and college sports seasons are all in full swing. This timing allows bettors to immediately place wagers on local teams. For example, the St. Louis Blues play the Ducks on the evening of December 1, and the Missouri Tigers basketball team plays on December 2.
Operators are offering large incentives during the pre-registration period to attract new users. These pre-launch offers include various bonus bets and deposit matches. For instance, DraftKings is offering $300 in bonus bets upon launch. FanDuel is offering $100 in bonus bets for registering, with an additional bonus for the first wager after December 1. These promotions are designed to encourage account creation and deposits before the first day of legal betting.
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