The opening of the Missouri gaming market: $4 billion in new listings will activate the stock prices of giants such as DraftKings (DKNG.US) or welcome catalysis

Zhitongcaijing · 12/01/2025 13:57

The Zhitong Finance App learned that Missouri officially launched a statewide legal sports betting business on December 1. Analysts expect the 19th most populous state in the US to form a highly competitive online market, dominated by cooperative alliances between national gaming brands and local teams. The state's first-year betting volume is expected to reach $3.5 billion to $4 billion.

The process of legalizing sports betting in Missouri was established by the Second Amendment passed by voters in November 2024. The relevant framework allows the issuance of up to 14 online gaming licenses, including 2 licenses that can operate independently. The rest of the licenses will be linked to the state's casinos and eligible professional sports teams. The Missouri Gaming Commission will be responsible for licensing, compliance supervision, and integrity monitoring.

Operators expected to launch on the day of launch or soon include bet365, BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment (CZR.US), Circa Sports, DraftKings (DKNG.US), Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel (FLUT.US), and theScore Bet, which was renamed by ESPN Bet. The launch coincides with the highest number of sporting events throughout the year, and major platforms are competing for early market share with aggressive promotion strategies.

Industry outlook

Missouri has become the 39th US state to legalize sports betting. Looking ahead, Nebraska lawmakers are considering legalizing online/mobile betting across the state based on the existing physical betting framework; legislative processes are also underway in Oklahoma, Georgia, and Minnesota.

The industry speculates that Texas may once again push for a referendum on constitutional amendments. New Mexico, North Dakota, Florida, and Washington may consider expanding sports betting beyond tribal casinos to a wider range. However, the prospects for regions that have not yet been legalized, such as Alabama, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, South Carolina, and Utah, are still uncertain.

Some industry analysts predict that with the rapid rise of prediction market platforms such as Polymarket, Kalshi, and Robinhood, which recently launched related businesses, all 50 states in the US may legalize sports betting within the next five years. These platforms operate in states that have yet to be legalized, and are forcing the local political community to adopt a more open attitude.