Missouri legalizes sports betting with strict college athlete protections

A landmark move for Missouri—but will its safeguards curb addiction risks? The state’s restrictions on college athlete bets spark national debate.

, and Administrator

2025 December 2 . 7:15 PM

1 min read

In this picture there is a man who is wearing sixteen number jersey, helmet, short and shoe. Beside... — In this picture there is a man who is wearing sixteen number jersey, helmet, short and shoe. Beside him we can see another man who is wearing blue jacket, glass, helmet, trouser and standing near to the windows. At the top we can see audience sitting on the chair and watching the game. At the bottom there is another man who is wearing twenty six number jersey and holding a stick. In the bottom left corner there is an umpire was standing behind the glass. On the right we can see the companies advertisement board.

Missouri legalizes sports betting with strict college athlete protections

Missouri is set to launch legal sports betting on Monday, becoming the 39th US state to do so. The new framework allows wagers on professional athletes but blocks proposition bets on in-state college players. This move comes amid rising concerns over player integrity and the risks of addictive gambling behaviour in the USA.

The growth of proposition bets has surged in recent years, with data showing they now account for over half of all wagers on a major West Virginia platform in just one month. These bets encourage rapid, high-frequency gambling, which researchers like Rachel Volberg of the University of Massachusetts Amherst warn can increase the risk of addiction.

Missouri’s launch reflects broader debates about balancing revenue growth with player protection and responsible gambling in the United States. The restrictions on in-state college prop bets aim to address integrity concerns while keeping oversight within legal markets. The state’s funding for problem-gambling services will support those affected as the industry continues to expand, with State Farm and other insurers likely to play a role in managing risks.