Missouri Sports Betting to Launch December 1 After Delays

sports betting market now has an official start date: December 1, 2025. The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) confirmed that legal wagering will not commence until that time, citing regulatory procedures as the primary reason for the delayed rollout.

Strict Licensing Process Prevents Early Launch

The state had initially hoped for an earlier debut, potentially in late summer. However, MGC Chairwoman Jan Zimmerman stated that the application review process made it impossible to meet that timeline. “It’s our responsibility to make sure everything is done right,” she told KSHB 41. “We would never want to not do our due diligence, not only with sports betting but with anything we do.”

Zimmerman emphasized that the process is intentionally thorough, designed to ensure only eligible entities receive licensure. “The process is very detailed by design, because we want to make sure that the people who get a license in the state of Missouri are people who should get a license,” she said.

A major setback occurred when Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the MGC’s emergency rules, determining that they didn’t meet the legal criteria for urgent implementation. “After careful review, we determined that the situation does not meet these urgent criteria,” Hoskins said, referencing Missouri State Statute 536.025.

As a result, the commission reverted to the standard rulemaking procedure, which includes a public commentary period and formal rule revisions. The finalized regulations are scheduled to take effect on August 30.

Key Licensing Dates and Market Structure

The licensing process officially opened on May 15 and will be implemented in stages:

• July 15: Deadline for independent online sportsbook applications
• August 13: Public hearings for applicants
• August 15: Selection of two standalone online operators
• September 12: Final application deadline

Under Missouri’s legislation, a total of 19 land-based casino licenses and up to 14 online sportsbook licenses may be issued. Operators can either apply independently or enter partnerships with any of the state’s 13 casinos or six professional sports franchises.

Several operators are already positioning themselves. bet365 secured a partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals, while Underdog Fantasy and BetMGM have publicly confirmed their intent to apply. Although BetMGM’s licensing route is not yet finalized, it already holds a sponsorship deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. DraftKings and FanDuel, both of which ed the state’s sports betting initiative, are also anticipated entrants.

Stadium Wagers and Mobile Betting Ahead

By December, fans attending games at Missouri’s major stadiums will be able to place legal bets. The first opportunity comes on December 7, when the Kansas City Chiefs face the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

The new law allows sportsbooks to be set up in stadiums of professional teams including the Royals, Blues, Cardinals, and St. Louis City SC. However, if patterns from other states hold true, mobile apps are expected to for the majority of wagers.

Kansas City Councilman Wes Rogers highlighted the significance of keeping gaming revenue within the state. “The state needs the tax revenue. They’re taking a lot of revenue from us, so I’m looking forward to keeping that home,” Rogers said. He added that legalization may also play a role in retaining teams like the Chiefs and Royals, especially amid stadium funding debates.

“I’m glad we don’t have to answer that question,” Rogers remarked, referring to whether legal betting was essential for keeping the teams. “We did the right thing. It’s going to help us keep the teams, and I’m happy for that.”

Legalization Narrowly Approved

The path to legalization was narrow. Voters approved the measure in November by a razor-thin margin of just 0.1%. Missouri became the 39th state to legalize sports betting. Under the new law, 10% of betting revenue will go toward education, problem gambling prevention, and regulatory expenses.

Zimmerman expressed confidence that the public’s current patience would soon pay off. “A year from now, nobody in Missouri will a time when we didn’t have sports wagering, right?” she said.

Until then, fans and operators alike must wait for the formal start of Missouri’s sports betting era this December.

Source:

Missouri Confirms Sports Betting Start Date: Launch Set for December 1, news.worldcasinodirectory.com, May 17, 2025