Fanatics Signs Up with Boyd Gaming in Missouri

Under the deal, Fanatics will operate mobile sports betting in the state under Boyd’s gaming license.

Ziv Chen

Last Updated: August 26, 2025 2:35 PM EDT • 3 minute read

Fanatics Signs Up with Boyd Gaming in Missouri — Pictured: The Boyd Gaming Corporation logo is displayed on a smartphone's screen as we examine their partnership with Fanatics Sportsbook in Missouri. Photo by Rafael Henrique / SOPA Images/Sipa USA via Imagn Images.

Betting operator Fanatics Sportsbook has announced that it has reached a multi-year licensing partnership with Boyd Gaming Corporation in Missouri.

The deal means it should be ready to join the list of operators ready to go live when the legal Missouri sports betting sector launches on Dec. 1.

Under the deal, Fanatics will operate mobile sports betting in the state under Boyd’s gaming license, since Missouri’s Amendment 2 requires prospective sportsbooks to align with either a casino or a professional sports team by Sept. 12 to qualify for the December rollout. The announcement means that residents will soon be able to take advantage of a Fanatics promo code before placing their wagers.

Boyd, which runs Ameristar Casino in Kansas City and Ameristar Resort Casino Spa in St. Charles, will rebrand its on-site sportsbooks to Fanatics, giving the brand a direct retail presence.

That retail footprint adds to Fanatics’ growing network, which now includes 24 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks nationwide. Notably, it operates the only retail sportsbook inside an NFL stadium at Northwest Stadium, home of the Washington Commanders.

The partnership also highlights the shifting alliances in the sports betting industry. Boyd had previously held shares in FanDuel before the parent company, Flutter, bought them back for $1.8 billion last month.

Boyd still maintains a market-access partnership with Flutter, but questions are being raised about the strength of that relationship following Fanatics’ entry in Missouri, and in the light of FanDuel’s recent partnership with St. Louis City SC.

Missouri's direct mobile licenses

In a separate development, the Missouri Gaming Commission on Friday awarded the state’s only two direct mobile sports betting licenses to DraftKings and Circa Sports. The decision allows both operators to launch online sportsbooks independently without needing a partnership with a casino or professional team.

DraftKings North America President Matt Kalish called the license a major step, citing Missouri’s passionate sports culture and pledging a ‘dynamic and responsible mobile platform’ for fans. Missouri will become the 29th state where DraftKings operates once betting begins.

Circa Sports, known for catering to high-stakes bettors with high limits, also secured approval despite acknowledging it may generate less tax revenue than its competitors. CEO Derek Stevens described the decision as a breakthrough moment, saying Circa’s approach of serving serious bettors rather than chasing scale was key to winning a license.

The commission’s move came after presentations from FanDuel, DraftKings, and Circa.

FanDuel, despite spending heavily to back Missouri’s legalization campaign, was not awarded a direct license. Instead, it announced a new market access deal with MLS club St. Louis City SC, ensuring its presence in the state.

Sports betting in Missouri is set to launch on Dec. 1 pending final approvals. With Fanatics entering through Boyd, DraftKings and Circa securing independent licenses, and FanDuel partnering with St. Louis City SC, the stage is set for a highly competitive market from day one, with many of the nation's largest operators vying for users and offering Missouri sportsbook promos.

Written by:
Ziv Chen

Ziv has over two decades of experience in the igaming and sports betting industry, having served in senior marketing and business development positions with both B2C and B2B companies, including Playtech and Microgaming. In 2019, Ziv decided to pursue his passion for writing and became a fulltime industry journalist, covering casino, sports, and gambling business news. He’s specialties include casino games and technology, US state gambling regulation, company performance, as well as gambling affiliates and marketing. As a Pitt graduate, Ziv is a diehard fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, with the Steelers at the top of the list. In his free time, he enjoys reading crime fiction, biographies (mainly of sports personalities, but not only) and American history. Ziv’s Favorite quote: “We're going to pursue perfection, knowing full well we won't catch it, but we're going to relentlessly chase it," Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach.