Missouri voters say yes to sports betting

Missouri voters say yes to sports betting       

An increasing number of US states have made the decision to open their doors to sports betting – and now the state of Missouri is set to join their ranks. 

At the start of November, Missouri voters approved an amendment which officially legalised sports betting. That doesn’t mean it’s live in the state yet, but now that the amendment has passed into law, the wheels of regulation and industry have started turning. 

Reports say that the process of drafting sports betting rules and regulations for Missouri is already underway – if only in the early stages.  

What we do know is that the minimum age for placing bets will be set at 21, with either 10% of tax revenues or $5 million (whichever is greater) being set aside for a compulsive gambling fund. 

The Missouri Gaming Commission is required to make sports betting available to state residents by December 2025, at the latest. But, if the processes move quickly, we could see the first legal bets being placed as early as the spring or summer of 2025. 

This is exciting news for brands looking to expand their presence in the US, with most major sportsbook operators already poised to enter the market. DraftKings and FanDuel are both expected to pursue licenses to operate on day one. 

There are 14 operating licenses up for grabs for sports betting, divided between six of the state’s major professional teams, six of the state’s casino operators and two standalone, online-only licenses. 

Those operators who have existing relationships with Missouri state teams and casinos are well-positioned for early market entry and expanded activity. The coming months could also see new partnerships formed as a variety of operators move to take a piece of the newly approved pie. 

Until things are a little further along, we can’t be sure of the exact launch date for Missouri sports betting. But, with the wheels already in motion, now is the time for operators and other interested parties to be looking at the possibilities that the Missourian market offers. 

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