Missouri’s long-awaited jump into legal sports betting arrived with more pageantry than anyone probably expected. Instead of a quiet “the switch is flipped” moment, the state got a full-on celebration, including hometown legends, packed retail books, and operators going out of their way to put on a show.
If you were anywhere near Kansas City or St. Louis on Dec. 1, you saw the impact immediately. Retail books were buzzing, lines were full, and for the first time, Missouri sportsbooks were actually open for business.
What really made it feel big were the faces attached to the launch. Operators pulled in every Missouri sports hero they could find, creating a surprisingly nostalgic and high-energy opening day. Here’s a look at who placed the ceremonial first bets, where they did it, and how each moment introduced the state’s new market.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See http://BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only. Minimum $10 deposit required. Bonus bets expire in 7 days. One new player offer. Add’l terms. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Gordon & Maroon for Fanatics
Fanatics Sportsbook Missouri leaned into the “local legend” strategy at Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City.
Royals icon Alex Gordon placed the first official ceremonial wager. Fans packed into Fanatics’ newly redesigned 2,000-square-foot retail space, which feels more like a mini-arena than a standard casino book.
Across the state at Ameristar St. Charles, former Blues forward Patrick Maroon handled the ceremonial duties there. Both openings went live at 4 p.m., and between watch parties, photo ops, and two different legends, Fanatics made sure launch day actually felt like a launch.
The welcome offer from Fanatics is one of my favorite Missouri sportsbook promos.
21+. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MO, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY (excludes NY). New customers who wager $10+ cash on any market with odds of -500 or longer are eligible to receive $100 in FanCash (“Rewards”) each day for your first three (3) days. You must wager $10+ each day to be eligible for the Rewards each day. FanCash issued under this promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Promotion ends at 11:59pm ET on December 31, 2025. Terms, incl. FanCash terms, apply—see Fanatics Sportsbook app. Gambling Problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER, 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
Gonzalez, Bruce & Hull Light Up St. Louis with DraftKings
If Fanatics went local, DraftKings Sportsbook Missouri went cinematic.
Their opening-day event at The Palladium in St. Louis felt like a Hall of Fame reception. They stacked three sports legends:
- Tony Gonzalez (Chiefs)
- Isaac Bruce (Rams)
- Brett Hull (Blues)
— and had all three place ceremonial first bets to officially christen their entry into Missouri.
Missouri House Speaker Jonathan Patterson was scheduled to speak, and DraftKings paired the event with a $50,000 donation to Veterans Community Project, which fights veteran homelessness throughout the state. It was a strong move and gave their launch a bit of purpose beyond the marketing flash.
DraftKings capped off its debut by landing on our list of the best Missouri betting apps.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), or visit http://www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Token expires 2/1/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: http://sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos . Ends 1/25/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
Caesars Sends Okoye and Green Hit on Tour
Caesars Sportsbook Missouri (literally) left its footprint at multiple stops.
They started with Chiefs legend Christian Okoye placing a ceremonial first bet at Harrah’s Kansas City, then shifted to St. Louis where former Rams QB Trent Green opened Horseshoe St. Louis. After that, Green stopped at Harrah’s KC and Isle of Capri Boonville as part of a full launch-day tour.
It wasn’t as theatrical as the Palladium event, but it fit Caesars’ brand perfectly: steady, recognizable, and everywhere at once. And with bettors comparing options like Caesars, Fanatics, DraftKings, and BetMGM Sportsbook Missouri, launch day functioned almost like an operator showcase.
Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First wager after registration must qualify. Min. Odds: -500. Max. Bonus Bet: $250. Awarded as non-withdrawable Bonus Bet that expires 14 days after receipt. Bonus Bet amount not returned for winning bets. Void where prohibited. See http://Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit http://mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit http://1800gambler.net ; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2025, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER DC, LA: Call 1-800-522-4700 MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)
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