Missouri Sports Betting Market Poised for Big Surge as Wagering Goes Live

Sports betting is officially live in Missouri, prompting operators and analysts to highlight where residents should place their bets. As platforms launch, analyst Christopher Boan said bettors should prioritize wagering with established, licensed brands. 

Eight approved operators are live in the Missouri sports betting space, including bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Circa, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, and theScore Bet. Nine licenses were initially issued, but Underdog Sports withdrew ahead of the launch.

Boan said Missouri is positioned to become a strong sports betting state due to its professional sports landscape, which includes NFL, NHL, and MLB franchises. He estimated the state could generate a first-year handle of about $4 billion, reflecting the total amount wagered across all operators. It also helps that residents will have plenty of Missouri sportsbook promos to choose from.

He also emphasized that sports betting should remain a recreational activity and be viewed similarly to attending a game, going to the movies, or dining out. “This is supposed to be for fun, and it’s kind of like in the same leisurely activity as going to a sporting event or going to a movie theater or, you know, going out for dinner, things like that. And it should always be kept as an entertainment avenue for Missourians from this month onwards,” he added.

Boan added that Missouri sports betting apps offer responsible gaming tools such as self-exclusion lists and account controls, similar to those used in casinos. These features allow bettors to limit their activity and monitor spending, which Boan said will be essential for maintaining safe engagement in Missouri's new sports betting market.

Star power and promotional stops

As the market opened, several operators coordinated launch-day events featuring former professional athletes and public officials. At the Isle of Capri Boonville, the closest casino to Columbia, former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green made a promotional stop on behalf of Caesars Sportsbook. 

His tour included placing an initial wager at Horseshoe St. Louis before traveling to Boonville and later to Harrah's Kansas City, where he met former Chiefs running back Christian Okoye. The Boonville property does not have a retail sportsbook but is encouraging guests to place mobile bets on site.

DraftKings marked its debut with a launch celebration at The Palladium in St. Louis, where Isaac Bruce, a former receiver for the St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, and St. Louis Blues player Brett Hull placed ceremonial bets. Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson was also in attendance.

Fanatics entered the market with its own promotional stop, as former Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon placed the operator's ceremonial first bet at Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City. The sports betting operator also has a sportsbook at the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa in St. Charles. 

Missouri's projected first-week handle is expected to reach $65.6 million, and its first-month handle is expected to be $262.6 million, figures that policymakers may review as they evaluate taxes and regulations.