In 2025, Missouri became the 39th state in the United States to use legal sports betting in a regulated market when it released on Dec. 1. Let's examine how the Missouri sports wagering rollout went and have a look at what to expect in the Show-Me State in 2026.
Missouri Sports Betting: Where Things Stand
Missouri legalized sports betting via a voter referendum in 2024, and 2025 was everything about getting ready for the rollout. This procedure was long and complicated.
Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) authorities initially stated that the legal sports wagering market would open on June 30. They quickly recognized that was not feasible, after Missouri secretary of state Denny Hoskins ruled that the MGC didn't have the "emergency rules" authority to produce guidelines beyond the typical legislative procedure.
After meetings with legislators, the MGC revealed in February that the launch would be postponed up until the fall. However, even that shown to be too enthusiastic. The Missouri sports betting market didn't open up until Dec. 1 - the final day possible according to the due date set in the 2024 voter referendum.
Before Dec. 1, the MGC provided licenses to 8 sportsbooks throughout the year, including BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings. Several of the state's sports groups also netted lucrative partnerships with legal sports wagering websites. FanDuel partnered with St. Louis CITY SC, while bet365 signed a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals in March.
What's Next?
There were more than 250,000 active sports betting accounts and more than 2.6 million geolocation checks on the first day of legal sports wagering in Missouri, according to leading geolocation verification company GeoComply.
The MGC has yet to issue any revenue or active bettor details. Once these numbers appear, they will surely be the significant talking point in the Missouri sports betting market throughout 2026.
Another problem expected to rear its head in 2026 is forecast markets. Like numerous states, Missouri is facing how to manage these markets as well as event contracts. The MGC has actually not taken a stance on forecast markets yet.
However, MGC chair Jan Zimmerman stated in December that she will be "watching" the forecast markets industry. Specifically, Zimmerman wishes to see "how it will impact sports betting" in Missouri.
Other states, consisting of Nevada and New Jersey, have actually already banned prediction markets. Whether Missouri decides to join them will be a considerable talking point in 2025.
Notes and Quotes
- "Your viewers and lots of others in the state believed as soon as the vote passed we might just turn a switch and sports wagering would go live. That's not the manner in which it works, regrettably," said MGC chair Jan Zimmerman, attending to criticism about postponing the launch of the Missouri sports wagering market.
- "I truly, genuinely hope that it makes a lot of cash for education and it satisfies a need for the people of Missouri," said of legal sports wagering in Missouri.
- "I do think there's a bit of a component of it's new, so it's a lot more obvious today," stated St. Louis Blues chief earnings and marketing officer Steve Chapman about the reaction against sports betting advertisements in Missouri. Chapman was among the most significant advocates for legal sports betting in Missouri.
Year in Review
Feb. 24: The Missouri Secretary of State's office rejects the MGC's emergency rulemaking authority, resulting in massive hold-ups to the launch of legal sports betting in Missouri.
March 24: bet365 ends up being the very first sportsbook to partner with a Missouri sports group, consenting to a "marketing collaboration" with MLB's St. Louis Cardinals.
