Sports betting brands are doubling down on a fourth quarter launch in the Show-Me State.
That comes in the midst of first quarter earnings season, where the parent companies of sportsbooks FanDuel and ESPN BET indicated they're expecting a go-live date sometime in the last three months of the year.
A fourth quarter launch would put legal Missouri sports betting available in October or November as the Missouri Gaming Commission has until December 1, 2025 to get the market up and running.
Flutter Doubling Down
FanDuel parent company Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) is targeting a fourth quarter launch for FanDuel Sportsbook Missouri, according to commentary on the company's first quarter earnings call.
This target was actually a rehashing of Flutter's commentary in its fourth quarter 2024 earnings report, when the company baked in a fourth quarter 2025 launch into its expected financials.
FanDuel is expected to be one of the top sportsbooks in the state given its prowess as the market share leader in other sports betting states.
While some brands have begun partnerships with local Missouri teams or casinos, FanDuel has yet to announce a partnership. However, it's widely expected that the brand could go after one of the "untethered" licenses, meaning FanDuel wouldn't require a local partner.
If FanDuel goes the partner route, it has an existing partnership with Boyd Gaming, which operates Ameristar Casino Kansas City and Ameristar Casino St. Charles. FanDuel could partner with Boyd for a license and offer a retail sportsbook at these properties in addition to a mobile sports betting app in Missouri.
PENN Adding October, November Target
PENN Entertainment, which operates ESPN BET Missouri, also remarked on a launch in October or November.
While not as prominent as FanDuel in the sports betting world, it's tough to miss the ESPN brand. This recently launched sportsbook is looking to add the Show-Me State to its list of active markets.
Now, it's tough to not find a PENN-owned or operated casino in most states, Missouri included. In fact, PENN operates Argosy Casino & Hotel, Hollywood Casino St. Louis and River City Casino. And given its partnership with ESPN BET, there will most definitely be a retail ESPN BET sportsbook at one or all of these casinos.
