Missouri is entering a new era of sports wagering as the state prepares to roll out regulated online betting on December 1, 2025. After years of legislative debate, the Missouri Gaming Commission has awarded the first two untethered mobile sports betting licenses to DraftKings and Circa Sports, marking a milestone in the state’s journey to offer legal and secure betting options to its residents.

With this development, DraftKings Sportsbook in Missouri is set to be one of the first platforms available to local players, introducing a regulated and competitive market designed to attract both seasoned bettors and newcomers.

The Significance of Untethered Licenses

The licensing framework in Missouri has two tracks for operators: tethered and untethered. A tethered license means a sportsbook must partner with a land-based casino, follow strict revenue-sharing deals and face more limited brand flexibility.

In contrast, untethered licenses allow DraftKings and Circa to operate independently from brick-and-mortar sites. These companies take the same 10% state tax on wagering revenue but keep the freedom to craft unique betting lines, deliver flexible promotions and roll out cutting-edge tech features on one seamless platform.

The state hopes the push for untethered licenses sparks healthy rivalry, giving players more options, sharper odds and a top-notch betting experience from the moment the app goes live.

Expected Economic Impact on Missouri

Industry experts believe Missouri could see a sports-betting handle of about 3.4 billion during its first twelve months. This estimate comes from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming and guides state planning. With a 10% tax applied, Missouri stands to gain nearly 47.5 million in new tax dollars in the same timeframe.

Legislators are directing much of those revenues to core areas: public education, road and bridge upkeep and programs that promote responsible gambling. By earmarking the money in advance, the state is confirming that the new pastime is designed to serve taxpayers, not just industry giants.

How DraftKings Plans to Lead in Missouri

DraftKings, a recognized leader in the U.S. sportsbook landscape, is looking to capture the Missouri market share. Its mobile-first model meets the needs of modern, on-the-go bettors, who prefer a single app that keeps them informed and active in real time.

For the Missouri rollout, DraftKings is promising:

Deep betting options: Wagers on every major U.S. league–NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL–as well as college games and worldwide competitions.

Live betting: Customers can make bets as action unfolds on screen, responding to every play.

Easy funding: Users can deposit money via card, bank transfer, or popular digital wallets, minimizing wait time and maximizing the fun.

Bettors in Missouri can expect some pretty competitive sign-up offers when the sportsbook market opens. To stay in the loop, Sports Betting Dime is great at posting the latest promotions and expert betting tips. Their updates let you spot the best deals without the hype that you might see in some other places.

Missouri’s Growing Appetite for Sports Betting

Fans in Missouri already live and breathe their home teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis Blues. That fan base is sure to create a lot of betting action. Missouri sportsbooks are getting ready for the seasonal events that always push the betting handle–think March Madness and the NFL playoffs.

Operators are already crafting promotions and betting menus that center on Missouri’s biggest stars. That way, they can keep customers engaged, especially when the games matter most.

Responsible Gaming Comes First

As the betting market expands, Missouri is making responsible gaming a top priority. A percentage of the tax revenue is being set aside for public awareness campaigns and treatment programs for anyone affected by problem gambling.

On the operator side, companies like DraftKings must build responsible gaming tools right into their apps. You’ll see things like:

• Deposit limits that you can set and adjust at any time
• Notifications that pop up after a certain time to remind you that it’s a good moment to take a break
• Self-exclusion features that let you block access for a set period

By pairing regulatory guidelines with these in-app features, Missouri is working to keep the market growing while protecting its players.

Crypto Integration and Payment Innovations

A fast-growing trend in online betting is the use of Bitcoin and Ethereum for deposits and withdrawals. Right now, it’s still rare, but a few big brands, like DraftKings in certain states, are testing crypto options. The promise is quick payouts, lower transaction costs and stronger privacy.

In Missouri, the rules give casinos the leeway to add these new payment techs when they’re ready. That’s a plus for tech-loving players who prefer more control over their money.

Launch Timeline and What’s Next

With only a few months to the start, the Missouri Gaming Commission is wrapping up licensing for more platforms. DraftKings Sportsbook and Circa Sports are the first to land untethered licenses, but many more betting apps are lining up. That means tougher competition and wider choices for everyone.

Keep an eye on these key dates:

• September 2025 – More tethered licenses will be finalized.
• November 2025 – Operators will run tests and be checked for compliance.
• December 1, 2025 – Online sports betting goes live across the state.

Missouri’s Position in the National Betting Landscape

As more states roll out online sports betting, Missouri is entering a market that’s already maturing–yet still growing fast. National sports betting handle shot past $119 billion in 2024, the American Gaming Association reports and the 2025 forecast is even higher.

Missouri’s tight regulation and a wide mix of operators set the state up to play a key role in the U.S. sports betting scene, especially as neighboring states keep polishing their rules and systems.

With DraftKings Sportsbook and Circa Sports both going live, Missouri bettors will soon have a safe, full-featured platform that meets the latest betting trends while celebrating local sports.