Missouri

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

By receiving just 51.2% of the votes, Amendment 2 was narrowly passed by Missouri voters on November 5, 2024. For years, the state has been trying to legalize sports betting off the ground, with pro sports teams and gambling companies raising over $40 million for the cause. Amendment 2 will take effect days after November 5th, requiring legal sports betting to be launched sometime before December 1, 2025. Until then, Missouri bettors do have an alternative option, and that is daily fantasy sports apps. 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, which means residents of the Show Me State also have access to the Fliff Sportsbook. This remains the extent of gambling in MO since betting on horse races is illegal.

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 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.

On paper, the state is fully prepared to launch online and retail sports betting immediately. With 13 casinos spread across MO that have fully supported the legalization and the professional sports teams in the state that were also in support, Missouri could welcome plenty of big-name online operators looking to partner with one of those casinos or teams.

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 handled that issue by not including VLTs on Amendment 2, as the constitutional amendment is strictly for sports betting.

Sports betting & gambling legislation in MO

Residents can still enjoy daily fantasy sports apps and social sportsbooks while they wait for the state to officially launch sports betting. Outside of those options, though, the gambling scene in Missouri is dryer than the desert, as online casinos, online poker, and even the lottery are outlawed.

As mentioned previously, Amendment 2 did not mention any other gambling-related topics, as lawmakers were strict about the amendment being only about sports betting.

Under this newly passed amendment, all professional sports teams and state casinos will be eligible for a sports betting license and can partner with two online betting platforms. Sports betting under Amendment 2 will be 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 makes through sports betting taxes will go to state education, which was one of the most significant driving forces in advertising for this amendment before the election.

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 they legalize 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

• April 28, 2025: Even after evening the series at two games, the St. Louis Blues are still (+155) to win their first-round series over the Winnipeg Jets.

• April 17, 2025: In the first round of the NHL playoffs, the St. Louis Blues will play the Winnipeg Jets, and they are (+155) to win the series.

• March 10, 2025: With the SEC Tournament set to begin, the Missouri Tigers are (+2500) to win the title.

• March 4, 2025: Conference tournaments are tipping off in college basketball, and Southeast Missouri State is favored to win the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament at (+150).

• February 24, 2025: Coming off a loss to Arkansas, the Missouri Tigers are still 20-7 on the season and (+650) to reach the Final Four.

• February 10, 2025: The Kansas City Chiefs were unable to win their third consecutive Super Bowl, as they fell 40-22 to the Eagles. The Chiefs have opened at (+700) to win Super Bowl LX.

• February 6, 2025: Travis Kelce is two touchdowns away from tying Jerry Rice for the most postseason touchdowns in league history. Kelce is (+900) to score two touchdowns on FanDuel.

• February 3, 2025: Heading into Super Bowl week, Patrick Mahomes has the best odds to win MVP of the game at (+120) on DK, while Travis Kelce has the fourth-best odds at (+1500).

• January 27, 2025: A Missouri man, Elijah A. Goshert, receives a 48-month prison sentence for running a six-year sports betting scam. Convicted of three wire fraud charges, he must also repay $650,000 to victims.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

Casinos are present throughout Missouri, with 13 currently operating across the state. Many of these casinos have played a significant role in the creation of sports betting bills for MO since the legalization of sports betting would only improve their business. Now that Amendment 2 is passed, these casinos will all get sports betting licenses and the ability to partner with two online operators.

While Missouri legalized horse racing in the 1980s, it is only legal if it is conducted at a race track, so the fact that MO does not have any racetrack 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 bring in 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 all comes down to 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.

What’s next for MO betting apps?

There has been continuous momentum toward legalizing sports betting in MO since 2019. That momentum continued into 2024 when Amendment 2 was passed, therefore signaling the legalization of sports betting. The support of online operators, casinos, and in-state professional sports teams has existed for a while, as the major campaign for this amendment, titled "Winning for Missouri," was funded by these aforementioned parties and raised over $40 million in support of the bill.

Now that the amendment has been passed, the state will start working towards an official launch day. In the meantime, online operators can start negotiating with state casinos and sports teams to form a partnership that would bring their app to the state.

Potential sports betting revenue impact on Missouri’s economy

Now that an amendment has been passed and we know both online and retail sports betting will be available to bettors, it is easier to start predicting the economic impact legal sports betting will have. According to a fiscal note from the amendment, the state estimates legal sports betting will bring anywhere between zero and $28.9 million in revenue to the state. However, the amendment's supporters have argued that those metrics are low and that those figures 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, just in 2024 alone, Tennessee made over $90 million, Kentucky over $36 million, and Kansas more than $12 million in tax income. Numbers-wise, TN was the busiest state in this field, with more than $5 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.