Missouri Sports Betting: What to Expect From MO Sportsbooks

Is Sports Betting Legal in Missouri?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Missouri, but it is not yet live. Show-Me State voters legalized sports betting in a referendum in November, and now the Missouri Gaming Commission has until December 2025 to launch sports betting in MO. For now, Missouri bettors can cross state lines into Kansas, Iowa or Illinois while waiting for Missouri to launch legalized sports betting.

When Will Missouri Sports Betting Launch?

There isn't a definitive launch date for Missouri sports betting. However, the Missouri Gaming Commission has until December 1, 2025 to get sports betting live in the Show-Me State. It's typically taken 8 months on average for states to launch sports wagering, so that puts a potential launch date sometime around August 2025, just ahead of the 2025 NFL Season.  

Who Can Bet on Sports in Missouri?

Currently, no one can legally bet on sports in Missouri. However, once MO sports betting goes live, state law says that only people who are physically located within state lines and who are over the age of 21 can legally bet on sports. 

How to Bet on Sports in Missouri

You cannot bet on sports in Missouri yet. MO online sports betting promises to be an exciting pastime for sports fans and a boon for the state's budget. That's probably why the state government is so adamant on getting the regulations around Missouri sportsbooks as complete as they can. 

For now in Missouri, sports betting sites are unregulated, illegal, and run by potentially shady or outright fraudulent companies. 

Where Will I Be Able to Bet on MO Sportsbooks?

The legislation on deck will legalize online sports betting as well as retail locations - sections in casinos that will let you place bets in person. 

Is Online Sports Betting Live Yet?

No, online sports betting is not available in Missouri, though that's expected to change in the coming months. When it comes to sports betting in Missouri going live, online sports betting will be available to sports bettors in addition to mobile sportsbooks and retail betting locations. 

Has There Been Any Progress on Legal Missouri Sports Betting?

Yes, in fact, the Show-Me State took its biggest step toward legal sports betting after Missouri voters approved Amendment 2, which legalized sportsbooks in Missouri, on November 5. For now, we have to wait on the Missouri Gaming Commission to work on regulations and a licensing process. You'll find the latest updates on MO sportsbooks below. 

List of MO Sportsbooks Expected to Launch

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

Best MO 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.

⭐️ Top Feature:	Edit My Bet
🎁 Expected Sign Up Offer:	Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets
📱 Sportsbook App:	Apple & Android
💸 Payout Speed:	1-5 Days

MO Sportsbook With the Best Rewards Program: Caesars Sportsbook

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. 

⭐️ Top Feature:	Caesars Rewards
🎁 Expected Sign Up Offer:	$1000 First Bet On Caesars
📱 Sportsbook App:	Apple & Android
💸 Payout Speed:	1+ Day

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. 

⭐️ Top Feature:	FanCash Earnings
🎁 Expected Sign Up Offer:	Bet & Get Up To $1000 In No Sweat Bets
📱 Sportsbook App:	Apple & Android
💸 Payout Speed:	1-3 Days

Best MO Sportsbook for App/Site Experience: 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. DraftKings Missouri won't be an exception once they launch in the state. 

⭐️ Top Feature:	Odds Boosts
🎁 Expected Sign Up Offer:	Bet $5, Get $200 In Bonus Bets
📱 Sportsbook App:	Apple & Android
💸 Payout Speed:	1-5 Days

Best MO Sportsbook for App/Site Software: 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. 

⭐️ Top Feature:	User Interface
🎁 Expected Sign Up Offer:	Bet $5, Get $150 In Bonus Bets With Win
📱 Sportsbook App:	Apple & Android
💸 Payout Speed:	1-2 Days

Best MO Sportsbook for Sports Media Integration: ESPN BET

One of the newer names to online sports betting, ESPN BET Missouri is fully expected to be among the sportsbook options for the Show-Me State given partner PENN Entertainment's ownership of several Missouri casinos. 

⭐️ Top Feature:	Personalized Bets
🎁 Expected Sign Up Offer:	$1500 First Bet Reset
📱 Sportsbook App:	Apple & Android
💸 Payout Speed:	1-5 Days

Best MO Sportsbook for Bonuses: bet365

The largest online sportsbook globally, bet365 Missouri could be among the betting options available once legal MO sports betting launches. They offer a sophisticated yet simple-to-navigate interface and unique pricing on sports betting markets. 

⭐️ Top Feature:	Early Payouts
🎁 Expected Sign Up Offer:	Bet $5 Get $150 Instantly OR First Bet Safety Net Up To $1000
📱 Sportsbook App:	Apple & Android
💸 Payout Speed:	1-5 Days

Best MO Sportsbook for Odds Boosts: Hard Rock Bet

With one of the best recognized names not only in the sports betting industry, but entertainment overall, Hard Rock Bet Missouri should be one of the top names to watch to potentially join the ranks of Missouri sports betting. 

⭐️ Top Feature:	Flex Parlays
🎁 Expected Sign Up Offer:	Bet $5 Get $100 in Bonus Bets
📱 Sportsbook App:	Apple & Android
💸 Payout Speed:	1-3 Days

Most Trusted MO Sportsbook: Bally Bet

Bally Bet Missouri is one of the most trusted MO sportsbooks you'll find, with industry-standard data encryption and responsible gambling measures in place that adheres to the rules and regulations set out by the Missouri Gaming Commission. 

⭐️ Top Feature:	Bet Stat Tracking
🎁 Expected Sign Up Offer:	Bet $25 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
📱 Sportsbook App:	Apple & Android
💸 Payout Speed:	1-3 Days

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. 

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.

Pros and Cons of the Missouri Sports Betting Legislation

Illegal Sportsbooks in Missouri

While all sportsbooks in Missouri are currently unregulated, there's a good chance that there are some illegal, black market operators offering sports betting right now. These illegal sportsbooks operate outside of the law in every state, but are just beginning to be policed by state sports betting regulators. 

At BetMissouri.com, we strongly recommend against using these sportsbooks given there is no safety, trust or precautions built into the platforms. We'll list a few bigger unregulated operators to keep an eye out for.

Bovada Sportsbook

Bovada Missouri may be tempting to use, but it's an offshore, illegal sportsbook where you're not protected by the law. For those reasons and so many more, we highly recommend against using sportsbooks such as Bovada. 

MyBookie Sportsbook

MyBookie Missouri is also illegal to use in any state. Be cautious of using this instead of trusted, regulated brands such BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook and others.

BetOnline BetUS Sportsbook

BetOnline Missouri could appear as a legal sportsbook just like DraftKings, FanDuel or others, but this is another illegal, offshore sportsbook. 

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:

Missouri Sports Betting Taxes

When sports betting in Missouri does go live, you'll have to pay federal taxes if you win $5,000 or more and you'll be taxed at 24%. 

If you have any additional questions on paying gambling taxes on your winnings, make sure to check out our Missouri Gambling Tax Calculator page. 

The tax rate for legal sports betting in Missouri is 10% of sports betting revenue, far below the national average of 19% that sportsbooks paid last year. However, sports bettors won't have to worry about these taxes as they are paid to the state by legal sports betting apps, online sites or retail locations.

Choosing the Best Sportsbooks in Missouri

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

You're in the right spot to read reviews of anticipated sportsbooks in MO. Right here on BetMissouri, sports betting experts give you their opinion and share their own personal sports betting experiences.

Bets 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 Royals 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 Chiefs Super Bowl Odds, and two places have a 200 point difference, that's potentially significant. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Popular Ways to Bet 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
• Parlays
• Totals
• Point Spreads
• Futures
• Prop Bets
• Live Betting

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 

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

NBA 

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.

MLB 

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 in Missouri goes live.  

NHL 

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

College Sports 

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 

Missouri fields two MLS teams (Sporting KC and St. Louis City SC), 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 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.

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 Professional Sports Teams To Bet

Once Missouri sports betting goes live, sports bettors will have plenty of teams and sporting events to bet on. In addition to teams from all the major sports leagues, here are some hometown teams that Missouri sports bettors 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 success in the Super Bowl, 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 rise of star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr is one to follow as well.
• St. Louis Blues The pieces haven't come together the way anyone was expecting, and the fans were hoping for. The Blues have regularly been in NHL playoff contention but haven't had much success past that. 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 2024 campaign. But yeah, the offices are still in Missouri, even if they play across the river now, so it counts.

Sportsbooks Partnerships With MO 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.

Live Legal MO Betting & Gambling Options

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

Casinos

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.

Legal Missouri Sports Betting Legislation Timeline

While it took a little longer than expected, legal sports betting in Missouri is finally on its way. Learn more about how we got to this point now that sportsbooks are on their way to the Show-Me State. 

• 📆 November 5, 2024: Missouri voters approve the sports betting bill by a narrow margin, allowing Missouri sportsbooks to launch sometime in 2025. 
• 📆 August 13, 2024: The Missouri sports betting, Amendment 2, is approved, allowing Missouri voters to approve or deny the bill in November. 
• 📆 February 12, 2024: Sports betting hill HB 2331 clears another Missouri House Committee.
• 📆 January 4, 2024: Missouri lawmakers file SB 852 and SB 824, both of which would allow legal online sportsbooks.
• 📆 May 15, 2023: Hopes for the passage of a Missouri sports betting bill die after the Missouri Senate concludes without discussing any of the bills filed in 2023. 
• 📆 February 13, 2023: Despite efforts to make Missouri sportsbooks legal, 41% of voters surveyed by St. Louis University agreed that sports betting should not be legal in the state. 35% agreed that it should be legal while 24% were undecided. 
• 📆 January 4, 2023: House Rep. Phil Christofanelli sponsors HB 581, which would allow each Missouri casino to offer three online sports betting skins. The bill also allows Missouri's professional sports teams to partner with online online sportsbook each. 
• 📆 January 3, 2023: Rep. Dan Houx files HB 556, a follow-up to the HB 4.
• 📆 September 19, 2022: Rep. Dan Houx introduces sports betting bill HB 4, which is nearly identical to his bill from 2022, but with increased tax rates to 10% from 8%.
• 📆 May 13, 2022: The Missouri legislative session concludes without the passage of a sports betting bill.
• 📆 January 19, 2022: Rep. Dan Houx introduces HB 2502 to designate 39 sports betting skins for Missouri's 13 riverboat casinos and 6 professional sports teams.
• 📆 January 29, 2018: Former Rep. Bart Korman introduces HB 2320 to allow riverboat casinos and DFS operators to operate sports betting.
• 📆 May 14, 2018: The US Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, allowing states like Missouri to legalize sports betting if they choose to do so. 
• 📆 June 10, 2016: Missouri legalizes daily fantasy sports contests after former Gov. Jay Nixon signed HB 1941 into law.

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, the such sports governing body, 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.