Missouri Gaming Commission Launches Sports Betting License Applications
The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) has commenced the application process for sports betting licenses, a significant advance toward legalizing sports wagering in Missouri following a closely contested constitutional amendment. Voters passed Amendment 2 during the November 2024 elections by a mere 3,000 votes, enabling both retail and online sports betting for individuals aged 21 and older, inclusive of professional and college sports.
The bidding window for two fully online sportsbook licenses is now open, with applications due by July 15, 2025. License hearings are scheduled for August 13, with awards announced on August 15. Other retail and mobile sportsbook applications must be submitted by September 12, with licenses expected to be issued starting December 1. While an official launch date for betting has yet to be confirmed, MGC Chairwoman Peggy Richardson stated that sports betting could potentially go live by December 1, 2025.
Missouri’s 13 licensed casinos are eligible to apply for both retail and mobile sportsbook licenses, priced at $250,000 and $500,000 respectively. A 10% tax will be imposed on sportsbook gross revenue, with the initial $5 million in annual revenue designated for the Missouri Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund and public education.
Despite previously opposing Amendment 2—including a $14 million effort to block its passage—Caesars Entertainment, which operates three casinos in the state, is expected to pursue one of the online-only licenses for its Caesars Sportsbook brand. With Missouri joining the growing U.S. sports wagering market, the developments signal a vital evolution in the state’s gambling landscape, poised to generate significant tax revenue and bolster education funding.
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