Missouri Sports Betting Laws
Sports betting became legal in Missouri after voters approved Amendment 2 in November 2024. The Missouri Gaming Commission regulates the industry, with licensed operators going live on December 1, 2025. This guide covers the legal framework end to end.
Quick reference
| Legal since | December 1, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Legalizing measure | Amendment 2 (November 2024) |
| Regulator | Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) |
| Minimum betting age | 21+ |
| Operator tax rate | 10% on adjusted gross revenue |
| License capacity | Up to 14 online + retail at every riverboat casino |
| Online sportsbooks live | 8 (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics, Circa, theScore Bet) |
| College player props (in-state teams) | Prohibited |
The Missouri Gaming Commission
The Missouri Gaming Commission has regulated casino gaming in the state since 1993 and was given oversight of sports betting under Amendment 2. The MGC consists of five commissioners appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation. Their responsibilities include:
- Issuing operator licenses and conducting background checks on key personnel
- Approving or rejecting bonus and promotional structures
- Auditing operator finances and tax payments
- Investigating suspicious betting activity and integrity issues
- Overseeing problem-gambling resources and self-exclusion programs
The Secretary of State approves the MGC's published rules, providing a second layer of oversight on regulatory changes.
License structure
Amendment 2 authorized up to 14 online sportsbook licenses, allocated as follows:
- 6 retail-tied licenses — one per existing Missouri riverboat casino license
- 6 sports-team licenses — one per professional sports franchise based in Missouri (Chiefs, Royals, Cardinals, Blues, Sporting KC, St. Louis City SC)
- 2 untethered licenses — competitive bid for operators not tied to any retail venue. DraftKings and Circa Sports won the two untethered slots.
Retail sports betting is also legal at all 13 of Missouri's riverboat casinos, plus professional sports venues that operate sportsbooks within 400 yards of their stadium.
Tax structure and revenue use
Operators pay a 10% tax on adjusted gross revenue (AGR) — the amount left after paying out winning bets and deducting bonus bet costs. Revenue flows in this order:
- Cover the Missouri Gaming Commission's operating costs
- At least $5 million annually (or 10% of remaining tax revenue, whichever is greater) to the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund
- Remaining tax revenue supports K-12 and higher education in Missouri
Eligibility to bet
- Minimum age: 21 years old, verified during account registration
- Location: Must be physically inside Missouri's borders, confirmed via geolocation
- Residency: Not required — visitors aged 21+ can register and bet from within the state
- Excluded: Athletes, coaches, referees, and team employees in their respective sports; anyone on the Missouri or interstate self-exclusion list
College sports betting restrictions
Wagering on college sports is legal in Missouri, including teams within the state — Mizzou, Missouri State, Saint Louis University, and others. However, player prop bets on athletes from in-state college programs are prohibited. Team-level markets (spreads, totals, moneylines, futures) on those programs remain available, as do all markets on out-of-state college programs.
What's not legal
- Offshore sportsbooks (Bovada, BetUS, MyBookie, etc.) operate illegally and offer no consumer protection
- Election or political betting is not authorized under Amendment 2
- Esports wagering is currently limited; check operator menus for which titles are listed
- Prop bets on Missouri-based college athletes as noted above
Self-exclusion and responsible gambling
Missouri operates a state-run self-exclusion program. Anyone who places themselves on the list is barred from betting at all licensed Missouri operators for the period selected. The Missouri Problem Gambling Helpline is 1-888-BETS-OFF. The National Council on Problem Gambling helpline is 1-800-GAMBLER.