Sports Betting Bonuses Go Live for Missourians

Legalized Missouri sports betting debuted on Monday with eight mobile operators, giving residents immediate access to a wide range of introductory bonuses. The rollout included several of the nation's largest platforms, each offering sign-up incentives tied to small initial wagers. 

DraftKings, FanDuel, and bet365 provided bonus bets after users placed at least $5, with DraftKings and FanDuel each offering $300 in bonus wagers and bet365 issuing $365 in bonus bets.

Additional offers also went live from BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanatics. BetMGM structured its promotion around the outcome of a customer's first wager, returning up to $1,500 in bonus bets if that initial bet was lost. 

Caesars required new customers to win a first bet of $5 or more to unlock $150 in bonus bets, as well as five profit boosts for users who made a deposit. Fanatics introduced a three-day bet-and-get model that allowed new users to wager $10 and receive $100 in FanCash per day, up to $300 in total.

These launches marked the first opportunity for Missourians to register with regulated operators and take advantage of Missouri sportsbook promos. During the first week, major brands vied for early market share, offering competing welcome bonuses to attract bettors to their platforms. 

Regulators emphasize economic benefits

The arrival of statewide wagering prompted the Missouri Gaming Commission to outline its expectations for the new market. It framed the debut as a significant transition for the state. 

In its launch announcement, the commission noted that legal wagering became available at midnight on Dec. 1 once licensed operators received approval for internal controls and house rules. The regulator tied the milestone directly to voter approval of Amendment 2 in November 2024, which authorized a legal Missouri sports betting market.

The commission highlighted anticipated gains in employment and tax revenue as operators began accepting bets. Jan Zimmerman, Chairman of the Missouri Gaming Commission, said the ability for residents to place legal wagers would support job creation and boost funding for education, adding that the launch followed extensive preparation by agency staff.

Initially, there were to be nine Missouri sports betting apps at launch. However, Underdog surrendered its license only days before the anticipated launch. There are now only eight offering both online platforms and retail wagering through partnered locations. 

DraftKings and Circa received licenses that allow them to operate their businesses without partnering with casinos or professional sports teams. Some companies entered the market through existing casino ties or partnership agreements, resulting in a diverse mix of companies in Missouri's sports betting industry.