Key Moments:
- The Missouri Gaming Commission issued temporary licenses to seven prominent sportsbook operators ahead of a December 1 market launch.
- FanDuel, bet365, and other operators secured partnerships with local casinos or sports teams to obtain their licenses.
- Missouri operators will be able to accept customer deposits beginning November 17 and be taxed at a 10% rate on revenue.
Temporary Licenses Set the Stage for December Sports Betting Launch
The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) has approved temporary licenses for seven major sports betting operators. The list of newly licensed companies includes bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, FanDuel, PENN Entertainment, and Underdog. Liz Hoffman, PR coordinator for the regulator, stated in an email: “These temporary licenses will allow companies to test systems and equipment and make any necessary preparations needed before launching sports wagering on Dec. 1.”
This development follows the awarding of two untethered licenses in August to DraftKings and Circa Sports, with Circa being selected over FanDuel. Under Missouri’s sports betting rules, the commission is authorized to grant up to 19 retail and 14 online licenses, potentially creating a highly competitive landscape in December.
Operator Partnerships Drive Market Entry
To secure their presence in Missouri’s market, sportsbooks have forged numerous local partnerships. Caesars and PENN capitalized on their own in-state casino properties, while other licensed operators established ties with Missouri casinos or sports franchises for tethered licensing.
| Operator | Partnership/License Details |
|---|---|
| FanDuel | Partnered with Major League Soccer’s St. Louis City |
| bet365 | Partnered with St. Louis Cardinals (since March) |
| BetMGM | Deal with Century Casinos (established in May) |
| Fanatics | Partnered with Boyd Gaming (August) |
| Underdog | Multi-year partnership with Kansas City Royals (September) |
Notably, Caesars, PENN, and Fanatics have all received approval for both retail and online betting, according to the MGC. BetMGM’s partnership with Century Casino Cape Girardeau also opens up the possibility for a physical sportsbook if Century chooses to proceed.
Supplier Licenses Support Market Infrastructure
Beyond operators, the MGC approved ten companies as licensed suppliers to provide key services to betting firms entering the Missouri market. Among these, PENN, BetMGM, and bet365 each received licenses in both operator and supplier capacities.
| Approved Supplier |
|---|
| Kambi |
| Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) |
| GeoComply |
| The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) |
| Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) |
| Genius Sports |
| BMM Testlabs |
| SIS Content Services |
| Swish Analytics |
| Catalist Sports |
With these supplier licenses in place, companies are positioned to support the state’s upcoming launch. The MGC has indicated that it intends to issue permanent licenses in the near future.
Next Steps for Operators and Taxation Overview
Sportsbooks that complete all regulatory requirements will be able to start accepting deposits from Missouri residents as of November 17. Once the market officially opens on December 1, licensed operators will be subject to a 10% tax rate on their revenue.
- Author
Daniel Williams
