Missouri Sports Betting Market to Open December 1

It's a day that some of our best sports betting sites will have circled on their calendar.

Missouri sports betting will officially open its legal market on Dec. 1, a first for the state's gaming sector. The market is anticipated to bring in up to $560 million each year, with a portion of the revenue dedicated to contributing to public education initiatives across the state.

The opening date, as confirmed by the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC), is the culmination of a lengthy but careful licensing process. In a statement to local media outlet KSHB 41, MGC Chairwoman Jan Zimmerman emphasized the diligence of the regulatory process. She explained that the application and review process has been intentionally careful to ensure that only qualified applicants receive licenses.

Zimmerman explained the process was "detailed, by design," with the need for deep background checks and reviews. "We want to make sure that the people who get a license in the state of Missouri are people who should get a license," she said. "It takes that long to gather all of the information we need."

The legalization of sports gambling in Missouri began with a slim victory on a constitutional amendment vote in November 2024. This shift in legislation made way for the creation of a regulatory system and the commencement of a license application window, which began in May 2025. Soon, residents will be able to take advantage of Missouri sportsbook promos.

The commission stated that temporary licenses will be issued during an interim period before basic licensing rules become effective on Aug. 30.

While the market opening is in place now, it will come too late for the start of the 2025 NFL season, which begins in early September. Missouri bettors will get to participate only from Week 14 and on, missing out on the first three months of the regular season, which concludes on January 5, 2026.

Banking on betting

Despite joining the football betting calendar late, regulators and industry insiders expect the long-term effects of sports gambling legalization in Missouri to be positive. The industry is anticipated to become part of the state's economy quickly.

The entire American sports betting industry has seen significant growth over the past few years. In 2024, the industry saw a record-breaking revenue of $13.71 billion, up from $11.04 billion in 2023. Indications show that this trend is set to persist, with the aggregate market revenue set to hit $18.51 billion by 2025.

In Missouri, the estimated $560 million in revenue in a year from sports betting includes retail and mobile wagering. Details regarding which operators will be licensed and through which platforms they will be providing will be released after the late August review period ends.

The revenue generated by the Missouri sports betting market is legislatively directed to pay for education funding, a pattern followed in other states. The state government and schooling officials anticipate that the funds will help eliminate budget shortfalls and boost educational resources.