Missouri Sports Betting Launches As Casinos And Apps Go Live
Missouri’s wait for legal sports betting came to an end this week when mobile apps and casino sportsbooks across the state began to accept wagers for the first time.
Voters approved Amendment 2 by a narrow margin last November, allowing online and in-person sports gambling.
A year after licensing, testing and building, the Missouri Gaming Commission confirmed that all systems are ready to go live across the state.
Thirteen casinos and at least nine major online operators - including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, ESPN BET, bet365, Circa and theScore Bet - received final approval.
Pre-registration opened two weeks ago, allowing users to download apps, fund accounts and claim early sign-up bonuses ahead of the first legal bets.
Casinos spent the past year transforming floor space into purpose-built sportsbooks.
At Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, workers removed rows of slot machines in the heart of the gaming floor to build a large sportsbook with wall-to-wall screens, tiered seating and food and beverage service suitable for a game-day crowd.
Management calls the area an entertainment district designed for “keeping groups on property for hours.”
Similar changes are coming to Horseshoe St. Louis, a 1,200-square-foot sportsbook that is wrapping up staff training this week.
Operators expect that many customers will play on both mobile apps at home and in person when they want the community experience of watching the games with other fans.
One immediate advantage for Missouri bettors is the absence of Illinois’ 50-cent-per-bet excise tax.
Casino officials believe the lower cost and convenience of betting inside the state will pull regular customers back from East St. Louis riverboats and southern Illinois sportsbooks, while also attracting visitors from Kansas and other neighboring states.
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Former Chiefs quarterback Trent Green, Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez and St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup champion Pat Maroon celebrated openings at various casinos.
The early betting menus will be packed with local interest as the Kansas City Chiefs head into primetime next weekend and futures are already live on the Royals, Cardinals, Mizzou basketball and NFL playoff odds.
Several operators are advertising up to $1,500–$3,000 in bonus bets or matching deposits for new users who sign up before or during launch week.
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With the framework now in place, Missouri joins 30 other states with active sports wagering.
Gaming officials continue to emphasize responsible gambling resources, including the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, as the market opens to an estimated millions of dollars in first-week handle.
For Missouri sports fans who have waited years - and often driven across state lines - the ability to bet legally from a phone or inside a hometown casino is finally here.
