The highly anticipated launch of online sports betting in Missouri is finally here.
On Monday, the Show-Me State welcomed a slew of operators, becoming the latest U.S. market to authorize online and retail sports wagering. The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) is allowed to issue up to 14 sports betting licenses, but the state initially launched with only eight online sportsbooks. The MGC offers two untethered licenses that don’t require a market access partner and carry fewer long-term financial ramifications, while tethered license holders are required to partner with an in-state casino or pro sports team.
Missouri’s licensed sportsbook began their first day of operations in the state with promotions and bonuses to acquire customers in a new regulated sports betting market.
Untethered license holders in Missouri
The Show-Me State awarded one of its two untethered licenses to DraftKings.
The operator was not required to partner with a sports team or casino but solidified its footprint in Missouri by securing a deal with the St. Louis Blues. DraftKings kicked off its first day in the state with a ceremonial first bet event in St. Louis attended by Missouri sports legends, including former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez.
DraftKings is also giving back to Missouri by donating $50,000 to the Veterans Community Project. The nonprofit organization serves homeless veterans in Missouri.
Circa Sports was an unexpected winner of Missouri’s second untethered license. Circa Sports, a smaller player in the industry, beat out FanDuel in the application process.
Missouri’s tethered online sportsbooks
Bet365: The British brand launched operations in Missouri, bringing its total reach to 16 U.S. markets. Bet365 prepared for its debut in the Show-Me State by partnering with the St. Louis Cardinals and is offering new customers in the state an exclusive promotion that allows users to receive $365 in bonus bets if they wager $10, whether the bet wins or loses.
BetMGM: The operator landed a market access deal with Century Casino & Hotel Cape Girardeau for its launch in Missouri. The pact includes retail wagering at a BetMGM-branded sportsbook at Century Cape Girardeau. BetMGM is giving its new users in Missouri the chance to receive a bonus bet of up to $1,500 after placing their first bet if that wager loses. The promo requires a minimum $10 deposit with bonus bets expiring after seven days.
Caesars: The entertainment giant is leveraging its Missouri casinos to enter the state’s sports betting market. Caesars celebrated its debut in the state by hosting ceremonial first bet events at its Harrah’s Kansas City and Horseshoe St. Louis casinos.
Caesars is providing Missouri residents and visitors with exclusive promotions, including a promotion that provides winners with a VIP Super Bowl LX experience in Las Vegas. Every user who places a wager of $5 or more in Missouri before Jan. 4 is automatically entered in the contest. Caesars is also providing new users in Missouri a chance to receive $150 in bonus bets if they place a first bet of $5 or more and it wins.
FanDuel: The Flutter brand secured a market access deal with St. Louis CITY SC for its launch in Missouri. FanDuel prepared for its presence in Missouri by donating $300,000 to Guns ‘N Hoses, a St. Louis-based nonprofit. FanDuel is also making a donation to the Veterans Community Project. The company has pledged $300,000 to the organization.
New users can also receive $300 in bonus bets after making their first bet of $5 or more.
Fanatics: The online gaming brand reached a market access agreement with Boyd Gaming in August to provide wagering under Boyd’s license in the Show-Me State. The partnership also allows Fanatics to collaborate with Boyd to launch retail sportsbooks. Fanatics is giving its new users in Missouri two promotions to choose from. The operator is allowing users to receive $300 in FanCash if they place a minimum $30 in wagers. The bonus rewards are distributed over three days. Fanatics is also allowing users to receive up to $2,000 in FanCash over 10 consecutive days based on losing wager amounts, with a maximum $200 in FanCash distributed by the sportsbook each day of the promotion cycle.
ESPN Bet / theScore Bet: On Monday, PENN Entertainment rebranded ESPN Bet to theScore Bet as it also launched operations in Missouri. PENN is providing Missouri bettors with a promotion that provides new players with $100 in bonus bets if their first bet of $10 or more wins. The operator pays the rewards the bonuses in five $20 increments.
Change of plans for Underdog in Missouri
Underdog was expected to launch online sports wagering in Missouri on Monday, but the gaming company pulled its license application, the company confirmed to SBC Americas.
Underdog prepared for its launch in the Show-Me State by partnering with the Kansas City Royals for a tethered license and later landing a marketing partnership with the Blues. The company plans to maintain its fantasy operator license in the state, but will not offer sports betting after being one of the first companies to apply when the application period opened.
The Royals-tethered license is now available for a future approved operator to obtain.
