Missouri Sports Betting: What to Expect From Missouri Sportsbooks

Best Missouri Sportsbooks Expected to Launch

When the time comes for the Missouri sports betting sites and apps to set up shop, you should expect to see all the big names in the game come to town. This is especially true if they already have a foothold through a partnership, a physical casino or other gaming product. For instance, DraftKings and BetMGM already have sponsorship deals with pro teams in the state. 

Additionally, legacy casino operations can provide entry for operators like Bally Bet and Caesars Sportsbook. Expect other Missouri sportsbooks to open, since the bill allows for many more than just this handful of Missouri betting sites.

Here are some of the sportsbooks that you can reasonably expect to see in Missouri when the market launches.

Best Missouri Sportsbook: BetMGM

Part of one of the biggest gambling brands in the United States, BetMGM Missouri is highly regarded as one of the more novice-friendly sports wagering experiences in the industry. The operator provides sports bettors with an easy-to-use site and app and plenty of popular options across dozens of betting markets.

BetMGM has partnered with Boyd Gaming in other markets and may extend this partnership through an affiliation with Boyd's Ameristar properties. This, along with decades of experience in the industry and some of the best bonuses around, makes them one of the top options in any state.

Best Rewards Program: Caesars Sportsbook

Another brand name synonymous with gambling, the operator stands to make an imperial entrance in the Show-Me State. The introductory bonus has varied from deposit bonuses to risk-free bets, but has been one of the best available promotions either way.

Caesars Rewards Program truly shines, and Caesars Sportsbook Missouri wagers can be added to your existing rewards account if you're already playing at one of their three Missouri-based brick and mortar casinos. What's more, in states where they are already live, Caesars has been known to offer some of the best technology in the industry. 

Best MO Sportsbook For Merch: Fanatics Sportsbook

A newer name to the sports betting industry, Fanatics Sportsbook Missouri should be among the sportsbooks to go live in the Show-Me State. And the welcome bonus from Fanatics is one of the more popular options among online sports betting - a bet/get offer valued at up to $1000 in bonus bets. 

On top of that, Fanatics is the best MO sportsbook for sports merchandise. You can earn towards store credit to buy a jersey for your favorite player! Want a new Kansas City Chiefs jersey? Play with Fanatics to earn toward it.

Most Recognized Brand: DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings has been able to build their name value and substantial ad budget to get a big piece of the sports gambling market in every state they're in. The operator commonly features a generous deposit bonus for new users and has a huge number of options across numerous betting markets. 

With one of the best mobile app user experiences, DraftKings Missouri is sure to be a major player in any state that allows sports betting. If you're already using DraftKings for fantasy sports, you'll be right at home on their sportsbook app.

Best Experience: FanDuel Sportsbook

Another big name, FanDuel Missouri is also expected to make a splash when one of the sports betting bills gets the green light in the state. In states where online sports betting is already legal, the app is often regarded as having one of the best user experiences in the industry. 

In addition to strong technology, the operator features a generous no-sweat bet as a welcome bonus and delivers a top-tier online gambling experience. There are a few things you can do on other apps that FanDuel doesn't do just as well or better.

What Missouri Sportsbooks are Legal?

Right now there are no legal Missouri sportsbooks, and we do not vouch for and cannot recommend any of the offshore ones. Now that the Missouri sports betting bill has passed, we're waiting on sportsbooks to launch in the state. 

Based on their partnerships with pro teams, MO sports betting fans can safely expect BetMGM (Kansas City Chiefs) and DraftKings (St. Louis Blues) to be ready to go on day one. Missouri sports betting apps tied to casinos should also give Bally Bet, Caesars Sportsbook (Harrah's) and ESPN BET (Penn Entertainment) a leg up in the game. Boyd (Ameristar) and Affinity (St. Jo Frontier) could also make an early play, though their products aren't as well-known by the average consumer. 

Because the majority of the casinos have backed Missouri online sports betting bills in the past, you can safely expect to see them all run some sort of platform. 

When Will Missouri Sportsbooks Launch?

While there isn't a clear timeline on when Missouri sportsbooks will launch, it's expected that sportsbooks in the Show-Me State could go live sometime in 2025, likely before the NFL season. We'll stay on top of updates related to MO sportsbooks, so make sure to check back as we continue to provide news and details on a potential launch date. 

How Many Sportsbooks are There in Missouri?

If you don't count the illegal ones, and we don't, there aren't any legal retail sportsbooks or online betting sites in Missouri. The legislation that passed in 2024 allows for up to 14 sportsbooks in MO - six awarded to Missouri's casino operators, six to Missouri's professional sports teams and two untethered licenses. 

Sportsbooks Partnered with Missouri Sports Teams

Missouri sports betting law allows for six licenses awarded to the state's professional sports teams. Fans of online sportsbooks can look forward to the possibility of perks when betting their favorite team on the team's partner. As we've mentioned, BetMGM has lined up with the Kansas City Chiefs in a real coup, since NFL Football is the #1 betting sport in the US. 

And fans of the St. Louis Blues will be happy to bet with DraftKings Sportsbook, the official partner of the team. As the launch gets closer, expect to hear of deals involving the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals, as well as Sporting KC and St. Louis City SC.

Missouri Sports Betting Legislation

Missouri sports betting legislation opens up the the Show-Me State as the latest sports betting market, the 39th in the US. It's expected that sports betting will be live for Missouri bettors by the start of the 2025-2026 NFL season. 

Here's all you need to know about the legislation allowing Missouri sportsbooks. 

Missouri Sports Betting Licenses

Missouri sports betting law allows for up to 14 licenses to be granted by the Missouri Gaming Commission. Licenses will be available to:

What is the Legal Age to Bet in Missouri?

You must be 21 to gamble in Missouri in casinos, at poker tables in riverboat casinos, and in Daily Fantasy Sports games. At 18, you can play lottery and pari-mutuel betting, and at 16 charity games are allowed. 

Charity games typically mean Bingo, while pari-mutuel wagering generally applies to pari-mutuel wagering on horse races. While pari-mutuel bets on horses are technically legal at 18, other regulations regarding such betting essentially make it unavailable for Missouri bettors of any age.

Do I Need to Be a Resident to Bet on Sports in Missouri?

No, you do not need to be a resident of Missouri to use any future online sports betting sites or apps. The expectation when sports betting in Missouri is eventually regulated is that you'll only have to be within state lines and aged 21 or older. This is pretty much how it's gone in neighboring states and it's been an effective system thus far.

Who Regulates Sports Betting in Missouri?

The Missouri Gaming Commission is in charge of licensing and regulating sports betting in Missouri. Currently, the MGC is in the process of preparing regulations and the sports betting licensing process ahead of the opening of the state's legal sports betting market. 

Outside of sports wagering, the MGC also regulates riverboat casinos, charitable bingo, and daily fantasy sports contests in Missouri.

How to Contact the Missouri Gaming Commission

If sports gambling becomes an issue, you may want to contact the Missouri Gaming Commission:

• Phone: (573) 526-4080
• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @MissouriGaming

Choosing The Best Missouri Online Sportsbook

When the time comes for online sports betting in MO, residents will have plenty of options to choose from the available 14 sports betting licenses. 

Deciding which of the Missoui online sportsbooks is best for you can be a complicated choice with many factors to consider. Here's what we like to think about before making a decision.

Read Reviews

Most of the purveyors of online sports betting Missouri bettors will see are already up and running in other states where legal sports betting is in operation. Take advantage of the head start that people in Kansas or Illinois have been able to enjoy and see what they think. 

We'll have plenty of reviews for you as well, and we are experts after all. But take a look at what people like and dislike about a platform to help you make an educated choice.

What Bets are Allowed?

The major players of the Missouri sports betting sites are expected to offer the a lot of similar types of bets. In fact, as you compare you'll find a lot of overlap between sportsbooks in general. 

But an operator that has a style of betting on the menu that its competition lacks can make the difference. 

Odds Pricing

Again, the similarities in odds pricing across the most popular sports bets will make the differences stand out that much more. If one sportsbook has the Kansas City Chiefs as a -125 favorite on the moneyline and another has them at -128, that's probably not going to make or break one place over the other. But if you're putting a futures bet down on the Kansas City Royals to take the AL Central, and two places have a 500 point difference, that's potentially significant. 

You'll also find that the more niche sports may have odds that vary more from place to place, since the data isn't going to be as complete. Score one for fans of Swedish Handbollsligan.

Welcome Bonus

As part of the kickoff of legal Missouri sports betting, MO sportsbooks are going to dangle plenty of offers to get local bettors playing on their turf. These offers can include credits refunded for losing bets, bonuses added to your first deposit, and points towards rewards programs to name a few. 

Take a long and careful look at these bonuses, because they can absolutely be a difference maker. We say careful, because the terms and conditions are going to tell you what to expect, and what your end of the bargain will be before you can cash in.

User Experience

The user experience you'll encounter on Missouri sports betting sites is another factor to consider when choosing where to spend your time and money. After all, if a website or app is a chore to use, you're not going to want to open it. 

The welcome bonuses are useful here, as you can get a feel for how the software looks on the screen as well as how stable and responsive it is to use. If the app doesn't come correct, there should be plenty of other options.

Deposit + Withdrawals

In short, the more options Missouri betting sites will honor, the better. You'll likely find ways to move your money to and from your account that work best for you, but having a backup option can't hurt. When you're choosing where to play, make a note of how long withdrawals take to process, and how long your preferred withdrawal methods will take after that. 

And if you're planning on using online banking or a credit or debit card, make sure the affiliated bank will do business with gambling companies. Most do, but plenty don't.

Customer Service

Especially while the state is getting used to online betting, Missouri sports bettors will want to know that issues can be resolved quickly should they come up. Knowing that a sportsbook has multiple methods for reaching an agent at any hour can certainly put a player's mind at ease.

Customer service availability is easily accessed on online and mobile sportsbook websites or apps, and the variety of customer support options will vary between operators. 

Why Sign Up For Multiple Missouri Sports Betting Sites?

Don't be afraid to sign on with more than one of the Missouri sports betting sites is that's something that interests you. There's certainly nothing wrong with taking a couple different sports betting apps for a spin to make sure you like them. 

Especially in those first few days of online betting, Missouri sports bettors can take advantage of welcome bonuses when they have historically been the most generous in neighboring states.

Promotions for Missouri Sportsbooks

No operator has announced any Missouri sportsbook promos, but we can get into what is on offer in neighboring states. One of the most common is the first bet refund, where if your first bet loses, you get your stake back as credit for a future bet or bets. 

Another you'll likely see is the deposit bonus, where the house kicks in a percentage on top what you throw in for your first deposit. These are great offers that can really pay off, but read the terms and conditions so you don't outsmart yourself.

Retail Sports Betting vs. Mobile Sports Betting

The sports betting law provides for retail as well as mobile sports betting in Missouri. The Show-Me State features over a dozen casinos, and the ability to place sports bets on premises is also an exciting prospect. But the Missouri sports betting sites have certain advantages you won't be able to get on the riverboats. For one thing, the convenience can't be beat. 

With online and mobile sports betting, Missouri residents don't even have to leave the house to get in on the action. It's also easier to go line shopping - searching for friendlier betting odds from different providers. Flipping between browser tabs or phone apps is much quicker than driving from casino to another. You may also find steeper odds in general and fewer options than on betting apps.

Expected Sports Wagers at Legal MO Sports Betting Sites

Here are some of the most common wager types that could be found at legal Missouri online sportsbooks.

• Moneyline The easiest type of wager there is, pick a side and if they win, so do you.
• Parlays Combine several separate wagers into one large bet where every separate wager (leg) has to win for you to cash in. Longer odds and bigger payouts.
• Totals Also known as the over/under. The sportsbook sets a number around a sports stat, and you bet on whether the result will be higher or lower.
• Point Spreads Will the winning side clear the margin of victory set by the sportsbook?
• Futures Bet on something that won't be settled in the near future - like the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl while the Pre-Season is getting underway.
• Prop Bets Bet on events in the game that aren't tied to the final result, like which player will score first, or who will be ahead at the half.
• Live Betting One of the best features you'll find in online betting, Missouri gamblers can wager on games in progress, with the betting lines moving in response to the on-field action.
• Prohibited Bets These haven't fully been fleshed out, but don't expect to bet on high school sports or anything else where participants are under 18.

Missouri Sports to Bet On

There are different options when it comes to types of sports for Missouri bettors to place wagers on. The top leagues are sure to be available, while some others are uncertain.

NFL Betting

The NFL is the #1 betting sport in the US, hands down. Any of the Missouri betting sites will offer bets on NFL games, and NCAA as well if betting on college sports is included in the laws.

And with the Kansas City Chiefs being one of the top NFL teams, fans of the team will look forward to betting on the NFL when legal sports betting hits the Show-Me State. 

NBA Betting

The NBA's fast action and long season lend itself well to wagering especially when it comes to parlays. Many of the betting sites will offer odds on international leagues as well.

Missouri bettors will not have the luxury of betting on a local NBA team as the Kansas City Kings left town for Sacramento in 1985.

MLB Betting

The pace of play rules will throw an interesting wrinkle in this season's MLB campaign. The national pastime is a great way to get the hang of live betting since there's less going on than in, for instance.

Missouri is host to two MLB teams, so fans of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals will have plenty to look forward to once sports betting is legal in Missouri.  

NHL Betting

The NHL provides plenty of chances to play along, with live betting making for a thrilling experience. The only thing that makes playoff hockey more exciting us having a couple bets out on the game.

Missouri bettors will enjoy being able to wager on the St. Louis Blues, a contender in the NHL playoffs each of the last four seasons.

College Sports Betting

Plenty of states don't restrict wagering on college games. Several states, like Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey, allow bets on college teams, but not in-state college teams. 

When Missouri's sports betting regulations are revealed, we'll update you here to let you know what kind of college sports regulations will be in effect, including whether or not you'll be able to bet on your favorite local collegiate sports teams like the Missouri Tigers. 

Soccer

As mentioned, the NFL is the biggest betting sport in the US, but soccer is the most popular sport in the rest of the world. 

Missouri fields two MLS teams, but you'll also find odds on leagues from all over the globe. And come 2026, the World Cup will hold several games at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Golf

With the Saudi-owned upstart LIV Golf now challenging the PGA Tour for domination in men's golf, the landscape has never been more intense. Bet on match play, major tournaments or live props while the match goes on.

And on top of that, many sportsbooks offer great promotions on major golf tournaments, including The Masters, US Open and PGA Championship. 

eSports

Not every state allows betting on eSports which, to the uninitiated, are competitive video games. If Missouri laws allow it, expect to see odds on League of Legends and Counter-Strike, for starters.

Missouri Teams To Bet

Once sports betting is legalized in Missouri, potential bettors will have plenty of teams to bet on. In addition to teams from all the major sports leagues, here are some hometown teams that people will be able to place wagers on.

• Kansas City Chiefs  Expect the Chiefs to bring in the most attention when Missouri sportsbooks get started. With the NFL as the biggest betting sport in the country and the Chiefs' recent run, every other team in the state is fighting for second place.
• St. Louis Cardinals The Cards have a habit of making an off-season move that goes under the radar outside Missouri that makes a major difference. Bringing in Willson Contreras to take Yadi's spot is a little big to be considered under the radar, but snagging a star from a division rival? You bet.
• Kansas City Royals  2015 is starting to feel like a long time ago, but at least there's Greinke and Salvador Perez to enjoy. The Aroldis Chapman reclamation project should be an interesting experiment too.
• St. Louis Blues The pieces haven't come together the way anyone was expecting, and the fans were hoping for. The Blues will almost be sitting out come playoff time, and we can look ahead to seeing if Missourians can bet on games next go-around. Anyway, Alexa, Play "Gloria".
• St. Louis City SC The newest expansion franchise in MLS came in hot with an unexpected winning streak that got the fans excited. Seeing live soccer will only be made that much more exciting when you can bet from your seat at CITYPARK.
• Sporting Kansas City The longer tenured MLS team in the state, Sporting KC got off to a rocky start in the 2023 campaign. But yeah, the offices are still in Missouri, even if they play across the river now, so it counts.

Other Missouri Betting Options

While waiting for online sports betting, Missouri residents can explore other forms of gambling across the state.

Casinos in Missouri

There are 13 Missouri casinos licensed and in operation across the state, all on riverboats on the Missouri or Mississippi Rivers. These riverboat casinos are also the only places in the state where you'll find legal poker rooms. 

The proposed legislation provides for three online sportsbook licenses per casino, as well as the potential for retail sportsbooks on premises.

Horse Racing

In Missouri, horse racing is technically legal, and pari-mutuel betting has a minimum age of 18, which is lower than the casinos. Why technically? Betting on horse races in Missouri was made legal in 1984, but only in-person at a racetrack in state. 

Since there aren't any operational horse race tracks, the legal status of horse race betting is a moot point.

Missouri Lottery

Missouri's state lottery has been operating since 1986 with all the standard types of luck-based games. Those over the age of 18 can play scratchers, pull tabs, keno and more, including multi-state games like Powerball. 

While several other states have their sports betting administered through their lottery commissions, Missouri has not seen fit to do so.

Deposit and Withdraw from MO Sports Betting Sites

When MO online sportsbooks are allowed to operate under license in the state, there should be a wide range of ways in which you can deposit money into your account. 

You should be able to wager with them with total peace of mind - sports betting and casino operators employ state-of-the-art security protocols to keep your financial and personal information completely safe. 

Among the banking methods available should be:

• 💰 Debit & Credit Cards
• 💰 Bank Transfers
• 💰 Cash at a Partner Casino
• 💰 E-Wallets
• 💰 Pre-Paid Cards

It is also important to check that your chosen sportsbook also offers a wide range of withdrawal methods if you want to get your hands on your winnings - and that it delivers the money back into your account as swiftly as possible.

Get Ready to Bet on Sports in Missouri

Now that legal Missouri sports betting is on its way, it's only a matter of time that you can bet on sports in the Show-Me State. For now, we're in a holding pattern until the Missouri Gaming Commission publishes sports wagering regulations and begins the licensing process for retail and online sportsbooks. 

It'll be sometime in 2025 when sportsbooks in Missouri go live, but until then, you can bet at sportsbooks in neighboring states Kansas and Illinois. But this is a much anticipated launch that will be a welcoming addition to sports fans in the state. For now you can follow BetMissouri for the latest on online sportsbooks in MO, pre-launch promotions, news and more.