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 BioFanatics Betting and Gaming has unveiled Boyd Gaming as its license partner, securing entry into Missouri’s upcoming sports betting market.
Fanatics announced the multi-year agreement on August 25, which will allow it to operate its mobile sportsbook statewide under Boyd’s license. The company will also launch Fanatics retail sportsbooks at Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City and Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles.
Through the partnership, Fanatics will debut in December, in line with Missouri’s official go-live target date for regulated sports betting, pending regulatory approvals.
Bettors in the state will be able to access the Fanatics Sportsbook app on iOS and Android. They can access a variety of features, such as up to 10% FanCash back on wagers.
Missouri Sports Betting Framework
Missouri is set to launch sports betting on December 1, 2025, following the passage of Amendment 2 in the November 2024 elections. The framework supports up to 14 mobile licenses (including two untethered) and 19 retail licenses.
The untethered licenses enable the two operators to operate independently, without requiring a partnership with a land-based casino or sports team in Missouri. Earlier this month, DraftKings and Circa Sports secured the two coveted licenses, edging out the third candidate, FanDuel.
FanDuel did not wait long after missing out and immediately announced a partnership with St. Louis City Soccer Club.
Fanatics, meanwhile, was among the earliest applicants but only now confirmed its partnership with Boyd. Another applicant, Underdog Sports, has yet to reveal a license partner. So far, the Missouri sports betting framework is starting to shape up:
- DraftKings, Circa: Untethered licenses
- Fanatics: Partnership with Boyd Gaming
- FanDuel: Partnership with St. Louis City SC
- BetMGM: Partnership with Century Casinos
- bet365: Partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Underdog Sports: Applied, partner not disclosed
Other operators are expected to follow. PENN Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment each operate three properties in Missouri, while Bally’s operates one.
PENN has already posted sportsbook-related jobs for the state, indicating preparations to apply. Caesars will also likely apply, even though it curiously opposed sports betting legalization last year, spending millions on a campaign against it.
Bally’s could also follow, especially as its North American Interactive division, comprising Bally Bet mobile sportsbook and online casino, is experiencing strong growth, according to the latest earnings reports.
Operators will pay $500,000 for untethered licenses and $250,000 for tethered licenses, with sports betting revenue taxed at 10%. Funds will support education programs and responsible gambling initiatives.
