Patrick Mahomes Addresses Betting Debate as Missouri Nears Sportsbook Launch

Missouri prepares to become the latest state to offer legal sports betting amid heightened scrutiny surrounding sports wagering across the US following a federal investigation into illegal gambling. Now, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes addressed the subject, sharing his views in a recent interview. 

When asked about betting during his media availability last week, Mahomes said he avoids it entirely, noting that the risks outweigh any potential upside. "I just stay away from it. I don't want to put myself in that position. Your life is so great, why mess with it?" said Mahomes.

His comments come as Missouri sports betting prepares to launch on Dec. 1, marking a significant milestone for the state after years of legislative stagnation. The timing coincides with one of the busiest stretches of the sports calendar, giving residents access to regulated wagering for the first time. 

The path to legalization began in earnest five years ago, but multiple bills failed to advance in the legislature. Momentum shifted when Amendment 2 appeared on the November 2024 ballot. The measure narrowly passed, amending the state constitution and making Missouri the 39th state to authorize sports betting.

The approved framework includes a 10% tax on Missouri sports betting app operators, placing Missouri among the lowest-taxed markets in the US. That rate was one of the factors that voters who opposed the measure highlighted, but supporters argued it would keep the state competitive and attract leading operators. 

Nine licensed sportsbooks will be offering Missouri sportsbook promos at launch: bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Circa Sports, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, theScore Bet, and Underdog. The rollout sets the stage for a fully competitive market, positioning Missouri to join the regional sports betting landscape before the end of the year.

PENN rebrands as theScore Bet after ESPN split

Missouri's upcoming roster of operators also reflects broader shakeups within the national market. Earlier this month, PENN Entertainment and ESPN agreed to end their licensing deal early, clearing the way for PENN's online sportsbook to rebrand to theScore Bet. 

The decision came after ESPN BET struggled to gain a significant share of the market in the two years since the two companies launched their multi-billion-dollar partnership. Even though it used a well-known media brand, the platform couldn't compete with FanDuel and DraftKings, which worried some investors. 

Activist investor HG Vora also led a proxy battle against the partnership, saying that PENN's online strategy wasn't working well. 

PENN CEO Jay Snowden stated that the company would continue to utilize its online betting products as a gateway to its Hollywood-branded iCasino offerings in states where online casinos are legal. Under the rebrand, theScore Bet will remain integrated with PENN's casino platform, maintaining a single ecosystem for customers engaging in both verticals.