Missourians eager to place legal sports bets will have to wait until December 1, 2025, as the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) confirmed the state will not meet any earlier launch timeline. Initially hoped to kick off by late summer, the program’s debut was delayed due to the thorough regulatory and licensing process required under state law.

According to MGC Chairwoman Jan Zimmerman, the rigorous application and vetting steps simply won’t allow the system to go live any sooner. “It’s our responsibility to make sure everything is done right,” she emphasized in a statement quoted by KSHB 41 Kansas City. “We would never want to not do our due diligence, not only with sports betting but with anything we do.”

The timeline now ensures sports betting in Missouri will begin after the college football regular season ends and deep into the NFL calendar.

Regulatory Delays Push Timeline Back Months

The rollout was initially expected to occur sooner, but faced multiple regulatory hurdles. In particular, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the emergency rules proposed by the commission, arguing they didn’t meet the threshold for urgent action.

“According to Missouri State Statute 536.025, the emergency rulemaking process is reserved for situations that require immediate actions,” Hoskins stated. “After careful review, we determined that the situation does not meet these urgent criteria.”

As a result, the commission proceeded with the regular rulemaking process, requiring public input and a formal revision period. The final set of rules is slated to take effect on August 30, after which the state will accept license applications until September 12.

License Applications Underway, With Strict Oversight

The licensing process officially opened May 15 and will conclude in phases:

  • July 15: Deadline for untethered (independent) online sportsbook applications
  • August 13: MGC will hear from applicants
  • August 15: Two standalone online licensees will be named
  • September 12: Final deadline for all other applications

Under the legislation, the state can issue 19 physical casino licenses and up to 14 online sportsbook licenses. Operators can either apply directly for an online license or partner with one of Missouri’s six pro sports teams or 13 casinos to enter the market.

Several companies are already aligning for entry. bet365, for instance, partnered with the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this year. Underdog Fantasy and BetMGM have also confirmed their intent to apply, although BetMGM’s access route remains undecided. Notably, BetMGM already has a sponsorship deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Major players like DraftKings and FanDuel, who heavily invested in the state’s sports betting ballot initiative, are also expected to join the fray, though specific partnerships haven’t been finalized.

Sports Betting at Missouri Stadiums Coming Soon

With the December launch date, Kansas City Chiefs fans will be able to legally wager from inside GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium starting with their Dec. 7 home game against the Houston Texans.

The law also permits professional teams like the Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis City SC to host sportsbooks within their stadiums. However, past trends in other states suggest most bets will be placed via mobile apps, not on-site kiosks.

Kansas City Councilman Wes Rogers emphasized the significance of the legislation, especially as neighboring states like Kansas and Illinois have long benefited from legal sports gambling. “We’ve been working on this for years,” Rogers said. “The state needs the tax revenue… they’re taking a lot of revenue from us, so I’m looking forward to keeping that home.”

He also noted that legalized sports betting may play a role in ensuring Missouri keeps its pro sports teams, including the Chiefs and Royals, amid stadium funding debates.

Public Backing Barely Secured Sports Betting Legalization

Missouri became the 39th U.S. state to legalize sports betting after a narrow November referendum, which passed by just 0.1%—a mere few thousand votes. Under the law, 10% of revenue generated from betting activities will go toward education programs, gambling addiction prevention, and regulatory costs.

Though the rollout has been slow and meticulous, Zimmerman stressed the importance of ensuring that all licenses are awarded responsibly. “A year from now, nobody in Missouri will remember a time when we didn’t have sports wagering, right?” she said.

For now, sports fans in Missouri must wait until winter to place legal bets—but officials promise the extra time will result in a secure, well-regulated market that keeps money in the state and supports its future.