Operators in Missouri can submit applications for sports betting licenses starting next week, as declared by the Gaming Commission.
slaughter the competition! Let's dive into the latest update on Missouri's upcoming legal sports betting scene.
The Missouri Gaming Commission is ramping up its preparations, aiming to kick off the sports betting application process on May 15. As declared on their official site, they've made plans for interim licensing rules effective Aug. 30, giving them ample time to meticulously review applications before decisions and temporary licenses are issued.
Remember when they tried to roll out the licensing process earlier this year but got blocked by Secretary of State Denny Hoskins back in February? Well, this time around, they're giving sportsbooks a generous three-month application window, with the state's official licensing rules only coming into effect on August 30.
So, sportsbooks can gear up and get their applications ready!
According to the Daily Racing Form, two major players on the sceneβESPN Bet and Bet365βhave announced their intentions to apply for Missouri licenses. Bet365, having sealed a deal with the MLB's St. Louis Cardinals in March, is all set to become the franchise's first-ever official mobile sports betting partner.
During a recent earnings call, ESPN Bet parent Penn Entertainment shared their expectations of launching the mobile app this fall. This expectation aligns with the belief that the legal market will launch well ahead of the December 1 deadline set by the constitutionally enshrined amendment passed in November 2024.
And guess what? Bet365 isn't the only one planning to make a splash in Missouri. The state will allow up to 14 licenses for retail sportsbooks, and other operators are expected to throw their hats in the ring.
Now, buckle up! The Missouri Gaming Commission will be the ones to regulate the industry, overseeing the launch process and keeping everything above board. May the best sportsbooks win!
Here are the key details about the timeline and notable sportsbooks planning to apply for sports betting licenses in Missouri:
Timeline
- May 15, 2025: Sports betting license application process starts.
- Late Fall 2025: Expected launch for sports betting in Missouri, aligning with the NFL regular season[1][5].
- December 1, 2025: Deadline for sportsbooks to launch, as mandated by the constitutional amendment passed in November 2024[3].
Notable Sportsbooks
- Bet365: Has partnered with the St. Louis Cardinals and is likely to be part of the initial launch[3][5].
- Other Applicants: Missouri will be home to up to 14 retail sportsbooks, and other operators are expected to apply for these licenses[3].
- The Missouri Gaming Commission is preparing to launch the sports betting application process on May 15, with a generous three-month window for sportsbooks to submit their applications.
- Remarkably, two major players in the casino-and-gambling sector, ESPN Bet and Bet365, have announced their intentions to apply for Missouri licenses.
- Bet365, who secured a deal with the MLB's St. Louis Cardinals in March, aims to become the franchise's first-ever official mobile sports betting partner.
- During a recent earnings call, ESPN Bet parent Penn Entertainment expressed expectations of launching their mobile app this fall, aligning with the belief that the legal sports-betting market will launch well ahead of the December 1 deadline.
- Notably, Bet365 is not the only sportsbook planning to enter Missouri's sports-betting scene, as the state will allow up to 14 licenses for retail sportsbooks, with other operators anticipated to apply for these licenses.
