DraftKings, Circa Granted First Missouri Mobile Licenses For Dec. 1 Sports Betting Launch

State officials said the sports-betting companies DraftKings and Circa Sports will be awarded untethered mobile licenses to operate anywhere in Missouri when legal wagering begins Dec. 1.

During a Friday's brief public meeting in Jefferson City, the Missouri Gaming Commission announced that these two operators would be granted an untethered license. 

DraftKings is a publicly traded company based in Boston. In a news release, the company noted that once its mobile app goes live this December in Missouri, it will become the 29th state where DraftKings operates regulated sports betting, in addition to Washington, D.C., and Ontario, Canada.

DraftKings North America president Matt Kalish said the company is “pleased to secure one of two direct mobile licenses in Missouri—paving the way for us to bring DraftKings’ industry-leading online sportsbook to fans across the state.”

“Missouri is home to several professional teams and deeply passionate fanbases," he said in the news release, "and we look forward to enhancing their sports experience with a dynamic and responsible mobile platform.”

Circa Sports is a privately held operator with three hotel-casinos in downtown Las Vegas under CEO Derek Stevens, including Circa Resort. When Circa Resort came on board in 2020, it was the first new hotel-casino to open in the Fremont Street district in 40 years. Circa Resort boasts the largest casino sportsbook in the world and is involved in sports promotions, including having its logo on the home-and-road game jerseys of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights. The company has mobile sports betting apps in many U.S. states. 

FanDuel, a New York-headquartered company under the umbrella of Ireland-based Flutter Entertainment, also sought one of the two untethered licenses. In downtown Las Vegas, FanDuel operates a brick-and-mortar sportsbook inside the Fremont hotel-casino, a Boyd Gaming property and one of the most historic hotel-casinos on Fremont Street. FanDuel has not sought approval to operate a mobile app in Nevada. 

With minimal discussion on Friday, Chairman Jan Zimmerman oversaw a unanimous commission vote and announced that DraftKings and Circa would be awarded untethered licenses.

In a follow-up news release, Zimmerman noted these two companies are "candidates for priority investigation in awarding the state’s two available sports wagering direct mobile licenses."

“The commission considered many factors before the two applicants were chosen," she said. "We commend Betfair Interactive US, LLC (FanDuel) for its efforts. It was a difficult decision, but the commission is only able to grant two licenses."

'A Great Honor'

DraftKing, Circa Sports, and FanDuel were competing for the two available untethered licenses, allowing them to accept bets on their apps statewide without having to partner with a professional sports team or casino in Missouri. Two days earlier, executives from each company appeared before the commission and, in 30-minute presentations, made a case for why their companies should receive one of these two licenses.

On Friday, Stevens told Gambling.com that winning one of Missouri's first two untethered mobile betting licenses is "a great honor."

"We came in as the long shot against national giants like DraftKings and FanDuel, but our licensure approval today proves there’s room for a different kind of operator," he said. "Circa Sports is built for bettors, with sharp odds, high limits and a low hold. We’ve already connected with 81,000 Missourians through our Club One loyalty program, and we’re ready to be an active part of the community, from local events to supporting youth sports. We didn’t win by trying to be the biggest. We won by staying true to who we are, and I want to thank the Missouri Gaming Commission for recognizing that and giving us the opportunity to bring the Circa Sports experience to the State of Missouri.  We can’t wait to get started!"

FanDuel Aligns With Pro Soccer Team

Later in the fall, other sports-betting licenses will be issued to companies partnering with professional sports teams and casinos. On Friday, after the Missouri announcement, FanDuel indicated the company had partnered with St. Louis City SC, a Major League Soccer team, for a Missouri sports betting license. 

Elizabeth Hoffman, commission public relations coordinator, said the sports-betting company Underdog has also applied for a mobile license requiring a partnership with a sports team or casino in Missouri. Another operator, Fanatics, has applied for a mobile and retail license. Other sports betting companies are expected to apply before the Sept. 12 deadline.

In addition to sports betting operators, companies seeking approval for a sports wagering supplier’s license have submitted applications to operate in the state. These are:

• Catalist, a data provider
• GLI, an independent testing lab
• GeoComply, a geolocation compliance provider 
• OpticOdds, a data provider
• Sportradar, a data provider
• SportsContentCo, a data provider 

Once legal sports betting begins on Dec. 1, bettors age 21 and over in Missouri can wager in person at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks and by using a cellphone or computer anywhere in the state.

Missouri Sports Betting Timeline

Here are key dates in the launch of legal sports betting in Missouri. Sports betting is legal in most states, including every state bordering Missouri, except Oklahoma.

• Nov. 5, 2024: Missouri voters approve legal sports betting statewide.
• February 2025: Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejects the commission's proposed emergency sports wagering rules, which would have launched sports betting as early as June.
• May 15: Sports betting application window opens.
• July 15: Applications for direct mobile licenses are due.
• Aug. 13: Direct mobile license applicants can present their cases to the Missouri Gaming Commission.
• Aug. 15: The commission announces direct mobile license holders.
• Aug. 30: Licensing rules are scheduled to become effective. 
• Sept. 12: All other retail and mobile license applications are due.
• Dec. 1: Legal sports betting begins.