Missouri Awards Seven Temporary Sports Betting Licenses Ahead of December Launch

The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) issued seven temporary licenses to gambling operators as the Show Me State prepares to launch its sports betting market. The approvals mark a significant step toward the official launch of legal online wagering on Dec. 1. 

Licensees include bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, PENN Entertainment, and Underdog. 

MGC Public Relations Coordinator Liz Hoffman said the licenses will allow operators to test their betting systems and equipment before the full rollout. The move follows the issuance of the first untethered Missouri sports betting licenses during the summer, representing the initial phase of the state's regulated betting framework.

Among the approved operators is bet365. The UK-based operator partnered with Major League Baseball franchise St. Louis Cardinals in preparation for its Missouri debut. The partnership indicates potential, with prominent U.S. sportsbooks partnering with local teams to gain a head start in the marketplace. The NHL's St. Louis Blues and MLS club Sporting Kansas City are two other sports teams from Missouri that have also found support from betting operators. All the operators will be offering Missouri sportsbook promos at launch.

The MGC estimates that legalizing the Missouri sports betting market could generate up to $30 million in new tax revenue for public schools and other state programs. Ten companies, including Kambi, Gaming Laboratories International, GeoComply, Genius Sports, Swish Analytics, and Catalist Sports, were granted supplier licenses to support operations. 

This initiative aims to help Missouri achieve its larger goal of encouraging legal, open, and well-managed sports betting.

DraftKings and Circa Sports secure untethered licenses

Leading up to the expanded field, the MGC in August awarded DraftKings and Circa Sports the state's two untethered online sports betting licenses. This allows both operators to offer mobile wagering statewide without the need for a local casino or team partnership. 

While tethered licenses require shared revenue with a partner, untethered licenses allow operators to retain all proceeds apart from Missouri's 10% tax on revenue.

At a hearing before the MGC on licensing, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Circa Sports each presented their qualifications, emphasizing operational integrity, technological infrastructure, responsible gaming practices, and local market impact. 

Circa Sports CEO Derek Stevens said the company's success stemmed from maintaining a distinct approach in a field dominated by larger competitors.

He emphasized that receiving one of the first untethered betting licenses in the state was "a great honor." He added that Circa Sports was inarguably a long shot against its larger rivals, but that the approval shows that Missouri is ready to break the cycle of operations.

The decision further diversifies Missouri's soon-to-launch betting market, positioning both national and independent operators for strong competition when the state goes live in December.