Missouri Sports Betting 2023: When Will Missouri Sportsbooks Launch?

When the time comes for the Missouri sports betting sites and apps to set up shop, you should expect to see all the big names in the game come to town. This is especially true if they already have a foothold through a partnership, a physical casino or other gaming product. For instance, DraftKings Sportsbook Missouri and BetMGM Missouri already have sponsorship deals with pro teams in the state. Additionally, legacy casino operations can provide entry for operators like Bally Bet, Barstool Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook. Expect other Missouri Sportsbooks to open, since the bills being discussed allow for many more than just this handful of MO sports betting sites.

Here are some of the sportsbooks and their intro offers you can reasonably expect to see in Missouri when the Governor flips the switch.

Ranking the BEST Missouri Sportsbook

When the day comes for Missouri online sports betting, choosing where to take your money can be a difficult decision. That said, we highly recommend BetMGM for sports betting in Missouri. In addition to being one of the best sites for people new to online betting, MO players will find a complete betting experience, with nearly any feature they'd want. Besides, only one of the Missouri sportsbooks will have a partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs, and that's BetMGM.

What Sportsbooks are in Missouri?

Right now there are no legal sports betting sites in Missouri, and we do not vouch for and cannot recommend any of the offshore ones. If the proposed legislation passes to legalize Missouri sports betting sites, you can expect a feeding frenzy with all the major players.

Based on their partnerships with pro teams, MO sports betting fans can safely expect BetMGM (Kansas City Chiefs) and DraftKings (St. Louis Blues) to be ready to go on Day One. MO Sportsbooks tied to casinos should also give BallyBet, Caesars (Harrah's) and Barstool (Penn Gaming) a leg up in the game. Boyd (Ameristar) and Affinity (St. Jo Frontier) could also make an early play, though their products aren't as well-known by the average consumer. Because the majority of the casinos are backing the online sports betting MO bills, you can safely expect to see them all run some sort of platform. They're not doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, after all.

How Many Sportsbooks are There in Missouri?

If you don't count the illegal ones, and we don't, there aren't any online betting sites in Missouri. The legislation most likely to advance provides for 39 Missouri sportsbooks (three "skins" for each casino, and potential for teams to partner with Missouri betting sites as well. The 13 casinos will also offer MO sports betting on-site through retail sportsbooks.

Sportsbooks Partnered with Missouri Sports Teams

A head start to getting eyes on your brand in the Show-Me State if for MO sportsbooks to partner up with one of the major teams. Missouri online sports betting fans can look forward to the possibility of perks when betting their favorite team on the team's partner. As we've mentioned, BetMGM has lined up with the Kansas City Chiefs in a real coup, since NFL Football is the #1 betting sport in the US. And fans of the St. Louis Blues will be happy to bet with DraftKings Sportsbook, the official partner of the team. As the launch gets closer, expect to hear of deals involving the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals, as well as Sporting KC and St. Louis City SC.

Best Missouri Sportsbook: BetMGM Sportsbook Missouri

Part of one of the biggest gambling brands in the United States, BetMGM Missouri is highly regarded as one of the more novice-friendly sports wagering experiences in the industry. The operator provides customers with an easy-to-use site and app and plenty of popular options across dozens of betting markets.

BetMGM has partnered with Boyd Gaming in other markets and may extend this partnership through an affiliation with Boyd's Ameristar properties. This, along with decades of experience in the industry and some of the best bonuses around, makes them one of the top options in any state.

Best Rewards Program: Caesars Sportsbook Missouri

Another brand name synonymous with gambling, the operator stands to make an imperial entrance in the Show-Me State. The introductory bonus has varied from deposit bonuses to risk-free bets, but has been one of the best available promotions either way.

Caesars Rewards Program truly shines, and Caesars Sportsbook Missouri wagers can be added to your existing rewards account if you're already playing at one of their three Missouri-based brick and mortar casinos. What's more, in states where they are already live, Caesars has been known to offer some of the best technology in the industry. 

Best Site/App Experience: DraftKings Sportsbook Missouri

DraftKings has been able to build their name value and substantial ad budget to get a big piece of the sports wagering market in every state they're in. The operator commonly features a generous deposit bonus for new users and has a huge number of options across numerous betting markets. 

With one of the best mobile app user experiences, DraftKings Sportsbook in Missouri is sure to be a major player in any state that allows sports betting. If you're already using DraftKings for fantasy sports, you'll be right at home on their sportsbook app.

Best for Unique Bet Types: PointsBet Sportsbook Missouri

Australian operator PointsBet is quickly gaining popularity in North America. This is due to its shrewd partnership strategy, top-of-class risk-free introductory package, and unique PointsBetting feature. 

PointsBetting a high-risk betting style where every point counts to your winnings (or losses), and you can only do it with PointsBet. Expect a top-notch mobile betting experience, as well as plenty of Sunday Night Football perks when football season is underway, thanks to the company's deal with NBC Sports.

Best App/Site Software: FanDuel Sportsbook Missouri

Another big name, FanDuel Missouri is also expected to make a splash when one of the sports betting bills gets the green light in the state. In states where online sports betting is already legal, the app is often regarded as having one of the best user experiences in the industry. 

In addition to strong technology, the operator features a generous risk-free bet as a welcome bonus and delivers a top-tier online gambling experience. There are a few things you can do on other apps that FanDuel doesn't do just as well or better.

In addition to the aforementioned operators, two more of the rising sports gambling brands already have a physical foothold in the state. Bally's Kansas City and the three Penn Entertainment-operated casinos will likely open the door for Bally Bet and the Penn-owned Barstool Sportsbook.

No, sports betting in Missouri is not legal. And if it's not hashed out by May, it's off the table until the next legislative session, and the betting sites Missouri players are anticipating will be delayed even further. There's no guarantee the proposed bills will go through, so egal Missouri sports betting is on hold for the time being.

When Will Sports Betting Be Legal in Missouri?

It's hard to say when sports betting in MO will be available to the public. Even if the legislation provides for it coming out of this session and the laws are amended, it's not that simple. The regulations will have to be put into place, and the computer infrastructure will need to be set up to accept online betting, Missouri will have some work to do. For the sake of comparison, Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill to legalize sports betting in Kansas on May 12, 2022, and the first bet was placed on September 1.

Can you Sports Bet in Missouri?

No, you can not bet on sports in Missouri. Sports betting in MO is prohibited by law. If you're looking for an explanation of how to bet on sports in Missouri, you can (politely) contact Jefferson City and get in touch with your state representative and state Senator. When Missouri sportsbooks are legal, we'll be happy to help get you started.

What is the Legal Age to Bet in Missouri?

You must be 21 to gamble in Missouri in casinos, at poker tables in riverboat casinos, and in Daily Fantasy Sports games. At 18, you can play lottery and pari-mutuel betting, and at 16 charity games are allowed. Charity games typically mean Bingo, while pari-mutuel wagering generally applies to horse racing. While pari-mutuel bets on horses are technically legal at 18, other regulations regarding horse racing essentially make it unavailable for Missouri bettors of any age.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Missouri?

No, online sports betting is not available in Missouri, though bills being discussed could change that in the coming months. When it comes to sports betting, Missouri lawmakers have been going round and round on legalization for several years. The prospect of retail and online MO sportsbooks is still a goal for many lawmakers, sports teams and casino owners across the state.

Missouri Sports Betting Legislation Explained

Proposed legislation that cleared the state's House of Representatives provides for MO online sports betting in addition to retail locations in the casinos. Each casino would be able to work with three MO sports betting sites, and several teams will also be cleared to partner with Missouri sportsbooks. The proposed tax rate on Missouri sports betting sites currently sits at 10%, with sports betting MO winners expected to pay 4% of their winnings to the state in addition to any earned income taxes assessed by the IRS.

Has There Been Any Missouri Sports Betting Bill Progress?

Sure, it's closer than it was when this all started in 2018, but every time a legislative session ends without a bill being signed, the MO sports betting sites are back to square one. For now keep an eye on House Bill 566, which made it out of the House. It's supposed to meet its biggest hurdle in the State Senate, where Sen. Denny Hoskins has vowed to obstruct until he gets his way. He wants any sports betting Missouri regulations to include provisions for video lottery terminals, which many lawmakers and at least two casino operators are against.

You can't; sports betting in Missouri is illegal. The legislation on deck could allow for MO online sports betting as well as in retail locations - sections in casinos that will let you place bets in person. To get the ideal experience in sports betting Missouri players deserve, the laws need to change, ideally at this session so things can be up and running in time for Super Bowl LVIII.

How to Bet on Sports in Missouri

You cannot bet on sports in Missouri yet. MO online sports betting promises to be an exciting pastime for sports fans and a boon for the state's budget. That's probably why the state government is so adamant on getting the regulations around Missouri sportsbooks as complete as they can. For now in Missouri, sports betting sites are unregulated, illegal, and run by potentially shady or outright fraudulent companies. We can't stop you from using them, but we can tell you that there's absolutely no recourse for you if you play with fire and get burned.

Do I Need to Be a Missouri Resident to Bet Online?

You do not need to be a resident of Missouri to use any future online sports betting MO sites or apps. The expectation when sports betting in Missouri is eventually regulated is that you'll only have to be within state lines and aged 21 or older. This is pretty much how it's gone in other states and it's been an effective system thus far.

Since Missouri hasn't yet legalized sports betting, you can take the time to research which of the inbound Missouri sportsbooks offers what you want. And one advantage to the late start we're going through with Missouri online sports betting is that the regulators can learn from missteps taken by earlier adopters. Hotbeds like Illinois, as well as Kansas, Arkansas, Iowa and even Tennessee are ahead of the Missouri sports betting progress, all taking bets online. It's one thing to cross a border and place a bet in St. Louis, Kansas City or Branson - In Springfield or Columbia it's not so easy.

Who Regulates Missouri Sports Gambling?

There are no regulators in place at this time for the Missouri sportsbooks. The bill that legalizes sports betting in Missouri will put into place which agency will take charge of that part of the industry. Expect the Missouri Gaming Commission to have a say into this part of the process, and may end up regulating the sports betting MO players look forward to.

When the time comes for online sports betting, MO residents will have plenty of places to choose from if there are going to be in the neighborhood of 40 licenses awarded. Deciding which of the sportsbooks is best for you can be a complicated choice with many factors to consider. Here's what we like to think about before making a decision.

Read Reviews

Most of the purveyors of online sports betting Missouri players will see are already up and running in other states. Take advantage of the head start that people in New Jersey or Michigan have been able to enjoy and see what they think. We'll have plenty of reviews for you as well, and we are experts after all. But take a look at what people like and dislike about a platform to help you make an educated choice.

What Bets are Allowed?

The major players of the Missouri sports betting sites will offer the a lot of similar types of bets. In fact, as you compare you'll find a lot of overlap between the sites in general. But an operator that has a style of betting on the menu that its competition lacks can make the difference. For a couple examples, not all of the Missouri online sports betting companies will have betting pools, and only one has the exclusive PointsBetting system. No extra prizes for guessing that PointsBet runs that one.

Odds Pricing

Again, the similarities in odds pricing across the most popular sports bets will make the differences stand out that much more. If one house has the Cardinals as a -125 favorite on the moneyline and another has them at -128, that's probably not going to make or break one place over the other. But if you're putting a futures bet down on the Royals to take the AL Central, and two places have a 500 point difference, that's potentially significant. You'll also find that the more niche sports may have odds that vary more from place to place, since the data isn't going to be as complete. Score one for fans of Swedish Handbollsligan.

Welcome Bonus

As part of the kickoff of online betting, MO sportsbooks are going to dangle plenty of offers to get the bettors playing on their turf. These offers can include credits refunded for losing bets, bonuses added to your first deposit, and points towards rewards programs to name a few. Take a long and careful look at these welcome bonuses, because they can absolutely be a difference maker. We say careful, because the terms and conditions are going to tell you what to expect, and what your end of the bargain will be before you can cash in.

User Experience

The user experience you'll encounter on Missouri sports betting sites is another factor to consider when choosing where to spend your time and money. After all, if a website or app is a chore to use, you're not going to want to open it. The welcome bonuses are useful here, as you can get a feel for how the software looks on the screen as well as how stable and responsive it is to use. If the app doesn't come correct, there should be plenty of other options.

Deposit + Withdrawals

In short, the more options that a Missouri online sports betting operator will honor, the better. You'll likely find ways to move your money to and from your account that work best for you, but having a backup option can't hurt. When you're choosing where to play, make a note of how long withdrawal transactions take to process, and how long your preferred withdrawal methods will take after that. And if you're planning on using online banking or a credit or debit card, make sure the affiliated bank will do business with gambling companies. Most do, but plenty don't.

Customer Service

Especially while the state is getting used to online betting, MO players will want to know that issues can be resolved quickly should they come up. Knowing that a sportsbook has multiple methods for reaching an agent at any hour can certainly put a player's mind at ease.

Don't be afraid to sign on with more than one of the Missouri sports betting sites is that's something that interests you. There's certainly nothing wrong with taking a couple different apps for a spin to make sure you like them. Especially in those first few days of online betting, Missouri gamblers can take advantage of the welcome bonuses when they have historically been the most generous in other states.

Promotions for Missouri Sportsbooks

The promotions that Missouri online sports betting houses will offer aren't known yet, but we can get into what sportsbooks offer in other states. One of the most common is the first bet refund, where if your first bet with a book loses, you get your stake back as credit (up to a point) for a future bet or bets. Another you'll likely see is the deposit bonus, where the house kicks in a percentage on top what you throw in for your first deposit. These are great offers that can really pay off, but read the terms and conditions so you don't outsmart yourself.

Retail Sports Betting vs Mobile Sports Betting

The proposed laws provide for retail as well as online sports betting. Missouri features over a dozen casinos across the state, and the ability to place sports bets on premises is also an exciting prospect. But the Missouri sports betting sites have certain advantages you won't be able to get on the riverboats. For one thing, the convenience can't be beat. With online sports betting, Missouri residents don't even have to leave the house to get in on the action. It's also easier to go line shopping - searching for friendlier betting odds from different providers. Flipping between browser tabs or phone apps is much quicker than driving from casino to another. You may also find steeper odds in general and fewer betting options than on your phone apps.

Here are some of the most common wager types that could be found at legal Missouri online sportsbooks.

• Moneyline

  The easiest type of wager there is, pick a side and if they win, so do you.

• Parlays

  Combine several separate wagers into one large bet where every separate wager (leg) has to win for you to cash in. Longer odds and bigger payouts.

• Totals

  Also known as the over/under. The sportsbook sets a number around a sports stat, and you bet on whether the result will be higher or lower.

• Point Spreads

  Will the winning side clear the margin of victory set by the sportsbook?

• Futures

  Bet on something that won't be settled in the near future - like the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl while the Pre-Season is getting underway.

• Prop Bets

  Bet on events in the game that aren't tied to the final result, like which player will score first, or who will be ahead at the half.

• Live Betting

  One of the best features you'll find in online betting, Missouri gamblers can wager on games in progress, with the betting lines moving in response to the on-field action.

• Prohibited Bets

  These haven't fully been fleshed out, but don't expect to bet on high school sports or anything else where participants are under 18.

There are several different options when it comes to types of sports for Missouri bettors to place wagers on. The top leagues are sure to be available, while some others are uncertain.

NFL Betting

The NFL is the #1 betting sport in the US, hands down. Any Missouri online sports betting site will offer bets on NFL games, and NCAA as well if betting on college sports is included in the laws.

NBA Betting

The NBA's fast action and long season lend itself well to wagering especially when it comes to parlays. Many of the betting sites will offer odds on international leagues as well.

MLB Betting

The pace of play rules will throw an interesting wrinkle in this season's MLB campaign. The national pastime is a great way to get the hang of live betting since there's less going on than in, for instance.

NHL Betting

The NHL provides plenty of chances to play along, with live betting making for a thrilling experience. The only thing that makes playoff hockey more exciting us having a couple bets out on the game.

College Sports Betting

Plenty of states don't restrict wagering on college games. Several states, like Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey, allow bets on college teams, but not in-state college teams. When Missouri's bill is hammered out and has gone through to the governor, we'll update you here to let you know what kind of college sports regulations will be in effect, including whether or not you'll be able to bet on your favorite local collegiate sports teams like the Missouri Tigers. 

Soccer

As mentioned, the NFL is the biggest betting sport in the US, but in most of the rest of the world, soccer is the big one. Missouri fields two MLS teams, but you'll also find odds on leagues from all over the globe.

Golf

With the Saudi-owned upstart LIV Golf now challenging the PGA Tour for domination in men's golf, the landscape has never been more intense. Bet on match play, major tournaments or live props while the match goes on.

eSports

Not every state allows betting on e-sports which, to the uninitiated, are competitive video games. If Missouri laws allow it, expect to see odds on League of Legends and Counter-Strike, for starters.

Once sports wagering is legalized in Missouri, potential bettors will have plenty of teams to bet on. In addition to teams from all the major sports leagues, here are some hometown teams that people will be able to place wagers on.

• Kansas City Chiefs 

  Expect the Chiefs to bring in the most attention in Missouri when the sportsbooks get started in the state. With the NFL as the biggest betting sport in the country and the Chiefs' recent run, every other team in the state is fighting for second place.

• St. Louis Cardinals

  The Cards have a habit of making an off-season move that goes under the radar outside Missouri that makes a major difference. Bringing in Willson Contreras to take Yadi's spot is a little big to be considered under the radar, but snagging a star from a division rival? You bet.

• Kansas City Royals 

  2015 is starting to feel like a long time ago, but at least there's Greinke and Salvador Perez to enjoy. The Aroldis Chapman reclamation project should be an interesting experiment too.

• St. Louis Blues

  The pieces haven't come together the way anyone was expecting, and the fans were hoping for. The Blues will almost be sitting out come playoff time, and we can look ahead to seeing if Missourians can bet on games next go-around. Anyway, Alexa, Play "Gloria".

• St. Louis City SC

  The newest expansion franchise in MLS came in hot with an unexpected winning streak that got the fans excited. Seeing live soccer will only be made that much more exciting when you can bet from your seat at CITYPARK.

• Sporting Kansas City

  The longer tenured MLS team in the state, Sporting KC got off to a rocky start in the 2023 campaign. But yeah, the offices are still in Missouri, even if they play across the river now, so it counts.

While waiting for online sports betting, Missouri residents can explore other forms of gambling across the state.

Casinos in Missouri

There are 13 casinos licensed and in operation across Missouri, all on boats on the Missouri or Mississippi Rivers. These riverboat casinos are also the only places in the state where you'll find legal poker rooms. The proposed legislation provides for three online sportsbook licenses per casino, as well as the potential for retail sportsbooks on premises.

Horse Racing

In Missouri, horse racing is technically legal, and pari-mutuel betting has a minimum age of 18, which is lower than the casinos. Why technically? Betting on horse races in Missouri was made legal in 1984, but only in-person at a racetrack in state. Since there aren't any operational horse race tracks, the legal status of horse race betting is a moot point.

Missouri Lottery

Missouri's state lottery has been operating since 1986 with all the standard types of luck-based games. Players over the age of 18 can play scratchers, pull tabs, keno and more, including multi-state games like Powerball. While several other states have their sports betting administered through their lottery commissions, Missouri has not seen fit to do so.

If and when MO online sportsbooks are allowed to operate under license in the state, there should be a wide range of ways in which you can deposit money into your account. You should be able to wager with them with total peace of mind - sports betting and casino operators employ state-of-the-art security protocols to keep your financial and personal information completely safe. Among the banking methods available should be:

• 💰 Debit & Credit Cards
• 💰 Bank Transfers
• 💰 Cash at a Partner Casino
• 💰 E-Wallets
• 💰 Pre-Paid Cards

It is also important to check that your chosen sportsbook also offers a wide range of withdrawal methods if you want to get your hands on your winnings - and that it delivers the money back into your account as swiftly as possible.