Fanatics Betting and Gaming is preparing to enter Missouri’s sports wagering industry through a newly announced partnership with Boyd Gaming Corporation. The companies revealed on August 25 that they have agreed to a multi-year arrangement that will allow Fanatics to operate both mobile and retail sportsbooks in the state.

Under the terms of the deal, Fanatics Sportsbook will run its mobile betting app under Boyd’s Missouri license. The partnership also includes two retail locations at Boyd’s Ameristar properties — Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City and Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles, located just outside St. Louis. Pending approval from state regulators, Fanatics plans to roll out both online and in-person wagering by December, coinciding with Missouri’s launch of legal sports betting.

Once operational, Missouri bettors will be able to download the Fanatics Sportsbook app on iOS and Android. In addition to standard betting markets, Fanatics announced that it will extend its rewards program, offering up to 10% FanCash back on wagers and unique features like Fair Play injury protection.

Growing Competition in Missouri’s Betting Scene

The entry of Fanatics makes it the eighth operator to secure market access in Missouri. Other sportsbooks with confirmed plans include DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, PENN/ESPN BET, and Circa Sports. The state’s framework requires most operators to align with either a professional sports franchise or one of Missouri’s casinos, with only two “untethered” licenses available. DraftKings and Circa claimed those independent licenses earlier this month.

FanDuel, after missing out on untethered access, quickly partnered with MLS club St. Louis City SC to ensure entry. Bet365 aligned with the St. Louis Cardinals, while BetMGM signed on with Century Casinos. Caesars and PENN Entertainment benefit from their existing Missouri casino holdings, while smaller operators like Underdog, BetRivers, and Hard Rock remain possible entrants as the market continues to take shape.

Industry analysts expect Missouri to quickly become a significant sports betting state, with projections from Legal Sports Report estimating more than $4.5 billion in annual handle and roughly $500 million in yearly revenue. When the market officially goes live, Missouri will mark the 39th state with legal sports betting and the 31st to authorize online wagering.

Fanatics’ National Footprint Continues to Grow

For Fanatics, the Missouri agreement extends a rapid expansion strategy. The sportsbook currently operates in 22 states and Washington, D.C., with retail books in eight states. Following its 2024 acquisition of PointsBet, the company vaulted into the top five U.S. sportsbooks by revenue, trailing only FanDuel and DraftKings but surpassing BetMGM and Caesars in market share in some jurisdictions.

The Boyd partnership provides Fanatics with another key foothold. Boyd recently ended a long-running collaboration with FanDuel, selling back its 5% ownership stake to FanDuel’s parent company, Flutter Entertainment, for $1.8 billion. That separation opened the door for Boyd to strike fresh deals, with Fanatics emerging as the beneficiary in Missouri.

While Boyd continues to run its own mobile sportsbook in Nevada, it does not plan to bring that platform to Missouri. Instead, the company is positioning its Ameristar properties as destinations for Fanatics-branded retail sportsbooks. Guests at the Kansas City and St. Charles casinos will have access to betting across major professional and collegiate sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, golf, and more. All betting markets will be managed in-house by Fanatics.

A Crowded Field Ahead of December Launch

With just months to go before launch day, Missouri’s sportsbook lineup is already among the most competitive in the nation. Fanatics’ arrival underscores the broader trend of consolidation and rivalry among the largest betting brands. Nationwide, Fanatics now operates in more active states than all competitors except FanDuel and DraftKings, and its continued expansion reflects ambitions to challenge those dominant players.

By securing access through Boyd Gaming, Fanatics not only guarantees its digital presence in Missouri but also gains visibility through two high-profile casino sportsbooks. As December approaches, Missouri sports fans can expect a wide selection of options — with Fanatics positioning itself as a serious contender in a market projected to generate billions in wagers each year.