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Missouri’s sports betting market is nearly ready to go live, with many of the industry’s biggest names already cleared to participate. On Wednesday, October 22, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) issued a group of temporary operating licenses, setting the stage for the state’s December launch.
The MGC approved seven operators to prepare for launch. Those operators are bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, FanDuel, PENN Entertainment, and Underdog.
“These temporary licenses will allow companies to test systems and equipment and make any necessary preparations needed before launching sports wagering on Dec. 1,” said Liz Hoffman, the Public Relations Coordinator for the the commission.
These newly licensed sportsbooks join DraftKings and Circa Sports, which received the state’s two untethered licenses in August.
Under the state’s framework, the MGC can issue up to 19 retail sports betting licenses and 14 online licenses, giving plenty of room for expansion once the market officially opens.
Partnerships Drive Market Access
With the exception of Caesars and PENN Entertainment, which already own casinos in Missouri, most sportsbooks had to secure market access through local partnerships.
FanDuel partnered with MLS club St. Louis City SC in August, just after the untethered license announcement, while bet365 linked up with the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this year.
BetMGM signed a deal with Century Casinos in May and Fanatics partnered with Boyd Gaming in August.
Additionally, Underdog inked a multi-year agreement with the Kansas City Royals in late September.
Missouri’s sports betting launch on December 1 is shaping up to feature a mix of established industry leaders and new entrants, all racing to claim their share of one of the Midwest’s most anticipated new markets.
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