The Missouri Gaming Commission has started accepting applications from sports betting operators. That process begins this week. It’s ahead of the formal regulatory framework kicking in on August 30, 2025. That sets an interim window — from May 15 through August 30 — that the commission will use to review applications carefully and issue temporary permits.

That regulatory framework was made possible by Amendment 2 passing in November 2024. By the narrowest of margins — just 50.05% of voters supported it, compared to 49.95% who opposed it — Missourians gave the green light to both retail and online sports betting for those 21 and older. The Missouri Gaming Commission is responsible for making sure operators follow state rules and standards.

One of the key things that law does is impose a 10% tax on gross sports betting revenue. That tax money goes towards supporting education initiatives, preventing problem gambling and covering the costs of regulating this new industry. The staggered approach to licensing gives the commission time to do its due diligence. “We want to make sure we have a chance to thoroughly evaluate each application before issuing those temporary licenses,” a commission spokesperson says. “That’s exactly what this interim phase from May 15 gives us.”

Licensing Breakdown and Industry Participation

Missouri’s licensing model is a mix of physical and digital. 40 licenses in total: 19 retail sportsbook licenses for brick and mortar and 21 online. Eligible operators can apply for these and 6 major professional sports franchises in the state get 1 retail and 1 online license each since they are part of the local sports landscape. Already some big names have jumped in. Bet365 has partnered with the St. Louis Cardinals, the team’s first foray into mobile sports betting through this partnership. ESPN Bet has also applied, so we see strong market interest and competition in Missouri’s new sports betting market.

Missouri Joins the Club

Missouri is now the 39th state to legalize sports betting, joining the likes of New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Michigan. Other states like Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, New York and Tennessee have their own regulations and tax rates and we have a patchwork of sports betting regulations across the US.

Market Reaction and Industry Outlook

Missouri’s sports betting approval was a big deal for the US gaming industry. On the day the results were announced, shares of major sportsbooks rose — DraftKings up 3%, FanDuel 2.51% and Rush Street 5.1%. That’s what happens when investors get excited about a new market. Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association said Missouri’s approval was a big deal and praised all the stakeholders who worked together to make it happen.