There’s one thing for certain when it comes to Missouri sports betting. While bettors will have plenty to choose from when operators start accepting wagers on Dec. 1, you can expect a lot of action on the Show-Me State’s professional teams.
It’s natural for sports fans, especially those new to sports betting, to wager on the teams they support, but just how much will be wagered during the first year of legalized sports betting will be placed on teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Blues?
BetMissouri.com has developed the following projected handle estimates for local teams in Missouri based on our estimated first-year handle of $3.88 billion across Missouri mobile betting apps.
Team | Handle Estimate | Percentage of Handle |
Kansas City Chiefs | $250 million | 6.4% |
Kansas City Royals | $65 million | 1.7% |
Sporting Kansas City | $40 million | 1% |
St. Louis Blues | $75 million | 1.9% |
St. Louis Cardinals | $95 million | 2.5% |
St. Louis City SC | $60 million | 1.6% |
Parlays | $750 million | 19.3% |
Other | $100 million | 2.6% |
We separated parlays because those multi-leg bets may contain a mix of sports and teams, which would lead to some overlap. Newer sports bettors, especially those who have played fantasy sports have veered toward parlay wagers, which are riskier in nature. They provide bettors with bigger payouts but require every leg to be correct.
The other category includes Missouri teams not listed above, such as college teams.
The total above equals $1.43 billion. Although that’s roughly 37% of the expected overall first-year handle, we expect these bets will make up a majority of the bet written, especially among those new to sports betting. More experienced bettors will likely wager larger amounts and not limit themselves to local teams.
USA Today photo by Rick Osentoski.
Among Missouri’s professional franchises, the Kansas City Chiefs are projected to lead the state in sports betting handle with an estimated $250 million, a figure that does not include parlays. The team’s national following, recent success, and year-round media attention make it a top draw for bettors statewide.
Baseball and hockey both have strong fan bases in Missouri. The St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals are expected to attract around $160 million in total handle, excluding parlays, during the first year of legalized sports betting, while the St. Louis Blues are projected to near $75 million, driven by regional loyalty and recent playoff appearances.
Projected betting handles are based on factors such as fan engagement, game frequency, team performance, and market size. Popular franchises like the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals naturally command higher wagering volume due to larger followings and more nationally televised games, while other teams’ handles reflect niche fan interest and seasonal betting patterns.
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
Cited by leading media organizations, such as:
