Missouri’s gaming regulator reported its first round of handle and revenue results following the state’s debut as a regulated online sports betting market.
Data provided by the Missouri Gaming Commission shows that the state’s eight licensed online sports betting operators accepted $538.8 million in wagers in December, Missouri’s first full month as an online wagering market. That handle came from 25.6 million online sports wagers placed by Missouri residents after the state officially opened its doors as America’s newest sports betting market on Dec. 1.
In the first 24 hours of sports betting operations in Missouri, GeoComply recorded more than 2.6 million geolocation checks from over 250,000 sportsbook accounts in the state. The geolocation checks came amid a competitive final month of the NFL regular season.
Promos lead to revenue losses in Missouri
Although the handle was more than half a billion dollars, December’s results indicated a total taxable adjusted gross revenue loss of $21.6 million, behind the $560.7 million in total deductions throughout December as sportsbooks spent heavily on promotional offers to boost their respective launches. By comparison, retail wagering posted adjusted gross revenue of $887,331.
Missouri showcased its viability as an online wagering market in December, but the state’s handle, adjusted gross revenue and deductions resulted in only $432,467 in tax revenue.
A portion of the tax revenue generated from sports betting is allocated toward Missouri education.
DraftKings reigns supreme in Missouri
DraftKings emerged as Missouri’s most popular sportsbook in December, with the operator accepting 12 million online wagers from state residents and visitors. The wagering resulted in a $195.3 million handle, but the Boston-based company posted an adjusted gross revenue loss of $16.9 million. The loss derived from its $212.2 million in deductions.
DraftKings posted its December results as an untethered license holder in Missouri, which does not require the operator to secure a market access and revenue-share agreement with a land-based casino or professional sports team in Missouri. DraftKings and Circa Sports are the only untethered license holders in the Show-Me State after Circa Sports beat out FanDuel in the application process for an untethered license.
FanDuel posts strong handle, bet365 establishes presence
FanDuel finished second for the number of total wagers accepted in Missouri, but the Flutter-owned brand surpassed DraftKings in total betting handle. FanDuel posted 9 million total wagers in December but the operator’s total handle reached $212.6 million.
FanDuel also reported an adjusted gross revenue loss, which closed at $7.1 million, behind the $219 million in deductions throughout Missouri’s first month of sports betting. FanDuel and DraftKings reporting revenue losses does not require the two rival operators to owe Missouri a sports betting tax for December. Fanatics and Caesars Sportsbook were the only other operators to post adjusted gross revenue losses for the month of December.
British operator bet365 found its footing early in Missouri with the sportsbook posting a $57.7 million handle derived from 2.8 million wagers, finishing third amongst licensed online operators in Missouri. Bet365 did not report revenue losses, finishing December with adjusted gross revenue of $3.8 million with a sports wagering tax of $383,445.
Deductions for bet365 reached $53.9 million in December.
Circa Sports & PENN have work to do in Missouri
December marked an integral month for PENN Entertainment amid its relaunch of theScore Bet brand in the U.S. after its partnership with ESPN to deliver ESPN Bet dissolved. In December, theScore Bet reported a $6.2 million handle with adjusted gross revenue at $227,589 as the operator dished out $6 million in deductions. The results made theScore Bet finish seventh out of eight sportsbooks for betting handle in December.
Circa, a holder of one of Missouri’s two untethered licenses, finished last for Missouri in both betting handle and number of wagers. The Las Vegas-based brand posted a $1.4 million online handle behind the 8,186 wagers that came through its online sportsbook.
Circa did not take a revenue loss with adjusted revenue at $117,393 after $1.3 million in deductions. The operator also paid Missouri $11,739 in sports wagering tax in December.
Comparing Missouri’s first month to North Carolina
Missouri and North Carolina are America’s two newest online sports betting markets, with the Tar Heel State legalizing the vertical in March 2024.
That month, operators in North Carolina reported a total handle of $659.2 million, with $202.6 million in promo bets. Gross revenue in March 2024 closed at $66.4 million with $11.9 million in tax revenue.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, North Carolina had an estimated total population of 11.1 million in July 2025. By comparison, Missouri had a roughly 6.2 million population. As well as its higher population, North Carolina taxes online sports betting at 18% compared to Missouri’s 10%.
