Missouri

Few states remain without any semblance of a sports betting bill, but after the election on November 5th, Missouri is no longer be one of those states. By narrowly passing Amendment 2, the state's professional sports teams and casinos were able to offer legal sports betting on December 1, 2025 officially.

By receiving just 51.2% of the votes, Amendment 2 was narrowly passed by Missouri voters on November 5, 2024. For years, the state had been trying to get legalized sports betting off the ground, with pro sports teams and gambling companies raising over $40 million for the cause. Amendment 2 took effect on November 5th, allowing sports betting to be launched on December 1, 2025. Before that, Missouri bettors could only use DFS products. In 2016, the state passed the Missouri Fantasy Consumer Protection Act, which allowed DFS products to obtain operating licenses.

Since then, the state has welcomed eight DFS operators, including Underdog, OwnersBox, DraftKings, FanDuel, and more. Social sportsbooks are also authorized to operate, so residents of the Show Me State have access to the Fliff Sportsbook, along with the seven licensed sportsbooks that are fresh on the scene thanks to Amendment 2.

Why cornhole betting is spreading across the US—and what it means for Missouri

​Cornhole, once a casual backyard or tailgating pastime, has experienced a significant transformation into a competitive sport with organized tournaments and professional leagues. The American Cornhole League (ACL) has been instrumental in this transition, elevating the game's profile and competitiveness. This surge in popularity has opened avenues for sports betting, with platforms like DraftKings recognizing cornhole's potential in the wagering market. 

In 2021, DraftKings partnered with the ACL, becoming the official sports betting partner and introducing cornhole betting markets in select states. As of 2024, DraftKings offers betting lines for ACL Open events. Currently, 15 states, including Louisiana, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania, permit cornhole betting through DraftKings Sportsbook. If Missouri could join that list, the sport could garner a massive betting handle, as it is quite popular in the state.

Online Sports Betting in The Show-Me State

The motivation and support for a sports betting bill to be passed in Missouri have been sky-high for years, and that perseverance finally broke through in 2024 when Missouri bettors voted to pass Amendment 2. Bills regarding sports betting have made their presence known in legislative sessions since 2018, but it took until 2024 to finally get one over the finish line.

The state was fully prepared to launch online and retail sports betting immediately, but it wasn't until December 1, 2025, that everything launched officially. With 13 casinos across MO that have fully supported legalization, and the state's professional sports teams also in support, Missouri welcomed eight big-name online operators on release day, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.

Up until 2024, the volume of bills coming in or a lack of support wasn't the problem; the issue remained the literature inside the bills.

The earning potential has always been there for all sides involved with legalized sports betting, but the 2023 legislative sessions in the state were an excellent example of why a deal had to be made. Senator Denny Hoskins blocked any sports betting bill that made progress during the session, even though he supports legalized sports betting.

Hoskins believes that video lottery terminals are a form of gambling, so they should be taxed and included in any sports betting bill. Lawmakers addressed that issue by excluding VLTs from Amendment 2, as the constitutional amendment is strictly for sports betting.

All legal MO sports betting apps in 2025

Sports betting & gambling legislation in MO

Now that December 2025 has arrived, everyone 21 years or older in Missouri can legally partake in online and retail sports betting. As long as someone over 21 is within state lines, they have access to all online sportsbooks operating in MO, and anyone looking to create an account on those apps can do so anywhere in the state courtesy of remote registration. Both of these rules, along with every other guideline governing sports betting, will be enforced by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

Under Amendment 2, all professional sports teams and state casinos are eligible for a sports betting license and may partner with up to 2 online betting platforms. Sports betting under Amendment 2 is taxed at 10%, with revenue first allocated to the state gaming commission to pay for expenses. Another $5 million will go to a fund created to help prevent compulsive gambling. The rest of the money the state collects through sports betting taxes will go to state education, which was one of the most significant drivers of advertising for this amendment before the election.

As mentioned previously, Amendment 2 did not address any other gambling-related topics, as lawmakers were strict that it be limited to sports betting.

Betting on Twain: How Hannibal Could Turn Literature into a Gambling Attraction

Few places in America are as entrenched in literary significance as Hannibal, Missouri, the boyhood home of Mark Twain and the real-world backdrop for Tom Sawyer’s wild adventures. But beyond the statues and storybooks lies a quirky and potentially profitable opportunity: turning Twain’s legacy into a novelty betting market that could bring tourism, tradition, and wagers together.

A big aspect of these markets could be a riverfront event series featuring fence-painting races, scored on speed or frog-jumping contests inspired by The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Add in raft-building time trials on the Mississippi River, complete with Twain-quote trivia bonuses, and you have a betting experience that’s wildly unique, nostalgic, and all Missouri.

With mobile betting slowly expanding in neighboring states and novelty markets gaining popularity nationwide, Hannibal could carve a unique space in the gambling landscape once Missouri joins the list of states with a sports betting bill. Done right, this concept could fuel tourism and bring a nice spike in tax revenue to the state, as it would be appealing to bettors who are not interested in sports events.

Integrating facial hair with gambling: Missouri's county fairs as a betting hub

Missouri's county fairs already celebrate everything from pie-eating to pig racing, but one of the more quietly adored traditions is the local beard-growing contest. Known as the “Beard Bash” in some towns, these facial hair showdowns attract everyone from Lumberjack lookalikes to creative stylists who turn their facial hair into a form of art. With clear judging categories like “Longest Beard,” “Most Creative Shape,” and “Judge's Favorite,” these competitions are primed for an introduction into novelty prop betting.

If Missouri were to allow cultural or tourism-based betting markets when it legalizes sports betting, beard contests could offer a low-stakes and high-entertainment value market. Local sportsbooks or event apps, possibly run by the state lottery, could host live odds, while fair sponsors could integrate betting to drive attendance and participation. Even a minor betting rollout could generate thousands in seasonal wagers, with the potential to boost rural tourism and local fairground funding.

Most recent updates from the MO sports betting & gambling scene

• December 1, 2025: Online sports betting is officially live in Missouri with seven sports betting apps available.

• November 18, 2025: With a loss to the Broncos, the Kansas City Chiefs have fallen to 5-5. The Chiefs are now (-185) to make the playoffs.

• November 17, 2025: Pre-registration on approved sportsbooks is officially open in Missouri.

• November 11, 2025: Missouri sports bettors of legal gambling age can begin registering for accounts on state-approved sportsbooks on November 17th, two weeks ahead of the official launch of legal sports betting.

• November 3, 2025: College basketball season is officially underway, and the Missouri Tigers are (+3000) to win the SEC Regular Season title.

• October 20, 2025: Sports wagering in Missouri is scheduled to go live on December 1, signaling the start of regulated betting in the state. Gaming Commission head Jan Zimmerman said crafting the rules from scratch was the toughest challenge, joking that their meeting room became a "war room." He anticipates sportsbooks launching with temporary licenses and estimates $28 million in yearly revenue.

• October 14, 2025: Underdog Sports deepens its collaboration with the St. Louis Blues through a new multi-year agreement aimed at boosting fan engagement. As Missouri readies for its December sports betting debut, Underdog—already partnered with the Kansas City Royals—plans to feature Blues-themed marketing, arena signage, and live activations while awaiting approval for its state betting license.

• September 18, 2025: Missouri plans to launch sports betting on Dec. 1 with at least nine online and eight retail sportsbooks, according to state regulators. Over 1,000 applications were submitted, but only those filed by Sep. 12 qualify for the launch date.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

Casinos are present throughout Missouri, with 13 currently operating. Many of these casinos have played a significant role in shaping sports betting bills in MO, since the legalization of sports betting would only improve their business. Now that Amendment 2 has been passed, these casinos have sports betting licenses and can partner with two online operators.

While Missouri legalized horse racing in the 1980s, it is only legal at racetracks, so the fact that MO does not have any racetracks defeats the purpose of its legalization.

Could the Gateway Arch host a sky-high casino?

The Gateway Arch is already one of Missouri’s most iconic landmarks, but could it become iconic for a different reason? A sky-high casino with a panoramic view of St. Louis could make the landmark the most unique retail betting experience in the country. 

Stepping into an elevator-ride casino experience, ascending 630 feet to a state-of-the-art gambling lounge overlooking the Mississippi River. Bettors could play poker with a view, while slot machines line the curved observation deck, much like a tower viewer would. 

Certainly, the legal and logistical challenges turn this project into more of a conceptual art piece. Infrastructure issues, gaming licenses, and the National Park Service’s oversight of the Arch all pose significant obstacles. Additionally, many historians would likely oppose any alteration to the landmark. However, if Missouri aimed to establish the most unique casino in the world, transforming the Gateway Arch into a gravity-defying gambling destination could elevate St. Louis on the global casino map.

Sports betting in neighboring states

Missouri shares borders with eight states, to be exact, and only one of them doesn’t offer legalized sports betting. Oklahoma is the lone state without a sports betting bill, so at the very least, residents of legal gambling age in MO can venture into seven neighboring states and find some form of sports betting.

To get the complete picture of what each state has to offer, you can click on the name below to learn more.

Turning Old West Drama into Dollars: Betting on Jesse James Reenactments

Every year, the city of Liberty, Missouri, turns itself in its Wild West heritage with the Jesse James Festival, a legendary celebration of frontier folklore, local history, and the infamous outlaw himself. Central to the festivities are dramatic reenactments of the renowned bank robbery, featuring actors in period costumes, simulated shootouts, and ample theatrical flair. But could a betting addition to these Old West dramatics make it a more sought-after event?

The idea of placing micro-wagers on who gets “shot” first during the bank-robbery reenactment or betting on which actor delivers the most convincing fall could attract a new demographic of festival attendees. With clear, predetermined scripts and structured performances, the outcomes are easily trackable, which would make it so the event does not need a lot of changes to make it better.

The creation of these betting markets hinges on whether Missouri expands its gambling laws to allow novelty or cultural event-based betting. Events like the Jesse James Festival could generate thousands in new wagers annually. Even a small wagering pool, let's say $25,000 across the festival weekend, could yield valuable tax revenue and inject more excitement into an already iconic local tradition.

Potential sports betting revenue impact on Missouri’s economy

Now that an amendment has been passed and both online and retail sports betting are available to bettors, it is easier to start predicting the economic impact legal sports betting will have. According to a fiscal note for the amendment, the state estimates legal sports betting will generate between $0 and $28.9 million in revenue. However, the amendment's supporters have argued that those metrics are low and will be higher once sports betting gets off the ground.

All states are different, so there is no way to draw a direct comparison with another surrounding state. Still, for reference, in 2024 alone, Tennessee collected over $97 million in tax income, Kentucky over $39 million, and Kansas more than $12 million. Numbers-wise, TN was the busiest state in this field, with more than $5.2 billion in real-money wagers placed in 2024.

However, when comparing states similar to Missouri in terms of population, it is no surprise that many different parties remain motivated to get the job done. Indiana and Maryland have the closest populations to Missouri, and both states saw more than $5 billion in betting handle and over $500 million in sportsbooks' revenue in 2024. This totaled annual tax income of over $82 million in Maryland and over $46 million in Indiana.