Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioAs Missouri awaits the launch of sports betting in December, the market is starting to take shape with nine operators applying for a mobile license by the September 12 deadline. The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) anticipates issuing temporary permits in late October, providing operators with sufficient time to prepare for the December 1 launch.
State law allows MGC to issue up to 14 mobile and 19 retail licenses. Two of the mobile licenses are untethered, meaning the platforms do not have to partner with a land-based casino or sports team. DraftKings and Circa Sports won those two coveted licenses in August.
In addition to those two, seven others have applied for a mobile license. That leaves five available licenses for other operators to seek if they wish to enter the state. The MGC will accept additional applications after the September 12 deadline. However, those bids may have to wait until after the go-live date to launch.
Who Applied & Who Didn’t?
In addition to DraftKings and Circa, the seven applicants for a tethered license include:
- bet365
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- ESPN Bet
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
- Underdog
This lineup means Missouri bettors are likely to have access to most of the biggest national sportsbook brands from day one. Notably, some expected contenders are absent, including Bally Bet, Hard Rock Bet, and BetRivers.
Bally Bet’s absence is especially notable, given that its parent company, Bally’s Corporation, operates a retail casino in the state. Additionally, the company’s latest financial reports indicate that the online gaming division experienced growth of over 20%, despite the company’s overall losses. That makes its decision to sit out all the more surprising.
Meanwhile, Rush Street Interactive, the parent of BetRivers, has indicated that it has no plans for Missouri at this time.
Licensing Fees & Tax Structure
The licensing fee depends on the type of license. DraftKings and Circa will pay $500,000, while the rest are responsible for half of that, $250,000.
The tax rate is 10% on adjusted gross receipts for both retail and mobile sports betting operations. While the rate places Missouri among the states with the lowest taxes, it aligns with its neighbors, such as Iowa and Kansas.
The proceeds will be distributed across a few areas, including the cost of MGC operations. Additionally, a minimum of $5 million or 10% of the remaining revenue (whichever is greater) will be allocated to the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund. The remainder will contribute to education.
Missouri projects that sports betting could generate up to $29 million in annual tax revenue, a modest yet meaningful boost for the state’s coffers.
