In less than a month, Missouri sports bettors can wager from the comfort of their homes or from their seat at their favorite Missouri professional sports team.
But which Missouri sportsbooks operator will be the go-to for most bettors in the Show-Me State? BetMissouri.com, your source for the latest Missouri sports betting news, has come up with the following forecast that predicts how much of the market, by handle, each sportsbook will receive. We are basing these figures off of our first-year handle projections of $3.88 billion.
Licensed Operators | Total Handle | % of Handle |
DraftKings | $1.49 Billion | 38.5% |
FanDuel | $1.24 Billion | 32% |
bet365 | $271.6 Million | 7% |
Fanatics | $252.2 Million | 6.5% |
BetMGM | $223.1 Million | 5.8% |
Caesars | $155.2 Million | 4% |
Others | $242.5 Million | 6.3% |
Note: Percentages might not equal 100% because of rounding.
In our forecast, we have reviewed data from other states that breakdown handle by licensed operator. We also used the Missouri sports betting survey, which polled residents on their sportsbook preferences. We used that data to predict the handle estimates for the operators we believe will be the top six by handle.
We expect Missouri to be like other states that have competitive online sports betting markets. That is, DraftKings and FanDuel will attract the most betting traffic, with a group of four or five others closely packed together in a fight for third place.
While we estimate DraftKings Missouri Sportsbook to be the market leader, it could very easily flip-flop with FanDuel in taking the largest handle (or amount wagered). Regardless, we expect the two online gaming giants to command about 70% of the Missouri sports betting market share.
As for the others, BetMissouri predicts a photo finish for third with bet365 just edging the others at the wire. One reason for this is bet365’s partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards have a large and loyal following, and we believe their fans will gravitate toward their team’s market-access partner.
Sportsbooks are like any other business. They will compete for your money like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. They may use celebrity endorsers, like BetMGM using St. Louis’ own Jon Hamm in a national campaign (the BetMGM MO Sportsbook will be one of the operators lining up for a top-three spot in market share). Companies will also offer special promotions, such as registration bonuses and enhanced odds to help new bettors build their bankroll.
Many Missouri bettors might already have a favorite sportsbook after going to Illinois, Kansas or another state to place bets. While their sportsbook is likely also in Missouri, the next few weeks will be a good time to check out other sportsbooks to see what they offer.
Just as you might flip between stores or brands from time to time, you should do that with sportsbooks as well. Do you want to bet on Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl odds? Then check out the lines offered at each sportsbook. If you want to save money when you’re buying a big-ticket item, then you should also try to maximize your return on the bets you place. Why risk more money than you have to?
Sportsbooks aren’t the only businesses that need sports betting licenses. Companies that supply odds and other services, like geolocation, need approval from the Missouri Gaming Commission.
Here’s a list of the companies with temporary licenses in Missouri:
You can track the best Missouri sports betting promo codes with us at MetMissouri.com as next month's launch date gets closer.
USA Today Network photo by Erin Woodiel / Argus Leader
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.
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