Key Moments:
- Missouri’s regulated sports betting market is scheduled to launch on December 1, 2025, with a projected first-year handle of $3.88 billion
- Analyst projections indicate $65.7 million in wagers are expected in the market’s first week, running December 1–7
- DraftKings and Circa Sports received direct licenses in August 2025, increasing competition as Missouri joins leading betting states
Strong Launch Anticipated for Missouri’s Sports Betting Market
Missouri is preparing for a major debut in regulated sports betting. The market will officially open on December 1, 2025. Forecasts from BetMissouri suggest the state could exceed $3.88 billion in wagers during its first year.
Analyst Christopher Boan expects a fast start, predicting $65.7 million in bets during the first week from December 1 to 7. THowever, this surge is expected even though the market opens mid-NFL season.
Projections and State Rankings
Boan’s analysis considers demographics, market trends, and Missouri’s strong fan base. It projects $262.6 million in wagers during the first month. By the fourth month, total bets could reach $1.05 billion.
Boan said, “If Missouri reaches our four-month projection of $1.05 billion, it would rank third among the five benchmark states we analyzed.” As a result, Missouri would trail only Massachusetts and Maryland while outperforming Colorado, Tennessee, and Indiana.
Boan added, “That’s a promising sign of how quickly Missourians could embrace regulated wagering. If these projections hold, sports betting could become both a new entertainment option and a sustainable source of education funding.”
Major Events and Market Activity
Key sporting events will help sustain interest. For example, the St. Louis Blues’ home games and the Kansas City Chiefs’ December 7 matchup are expected to boost engagement. Moreover, these events will help offset the slowdowns often seen with late-year launches. This activity could help counteract any seasonal slowdowns typically observed with late-year market entries.
Missouri’s potential to become a leading new state for sports betting appears driven by the presence of prominent major league teams, committed fan bases, and enhanced operator access.
Licensing and Operator Competition
In August 2025, the Missouri Gaming Commission granted direct licenses to DraftKings and Circa Sports, allowing these operators to offer sports betting without partnerships with casinos or professional sports teams. This move is set to boost both competition and consumer choice once the market opens.
Other significant operators have secured entry through strategic partnerships. FanDuel has aligned with St. Louis City FC, while Fanatics Sportsbook partnered with Boyd Gaming to gain access to Missouri’s market. These various models are paving the way for a diverse and competitive environment that should appeal to a wide range of bettors.
Market Outlook and Future Impact
If BetMissouri’s predictions are realized, Missouri could not only generate nearly $3.9 billion in sports wagers during its first year, but also bring in considerable tax revenue. Such growth may position Missouri among the Midwest’s elite emerging markets for sports wagering.
With many new operators scheduled to launch and sports enthusiasm running high, analysts see Missouri’s regulated betting market as a key growth area. In addition, revenue from sports betting is earmarked to benefit education, highlighting the sector’s potential for delivering sustainable contributions to public funding in the state.
| Time Period | Projected Handle |
|---|---|
| First Week (Dec 1–7, 2025) | $65.7 million |
| First Month | $262.6 million |
| First Four Months | $1.05 billion |
| First Year | $3.88 billion |
- Author
Daniel Williams
