As of November 2023, and continuing into 2024, the landscape of legal sports betting in Missouri remains…complex. Currently, there are no fully legal, regulated online or mobile sports betting options available within the state. This is despite significant efforts to legalize it. However, there are options, albeit limited. This article details the current status, legal pathways, and what Missouri residents can do.
The Current Situation: A Waiting Game
Missouri lawmakers have repeatedly attempted to pass legislation to legalize sports betting. Bills have stalled in the past, often due to disagreements over tax rates, the inclusion of (or exclusion of) professional sports leagues’ data rights, and concerns about potential impacts on the state’s casinos. The most recent attempts in 2023 failed to gain traction before the legislative session ended.
Retail Sports Betting: The Only Legal Option
Retail sports betting is legal in Missouri. In September 2023, the first retail sportsbooks opened their doors. Currently, these are located within the state’s casinos:
- Ameristar Casino Kansas City: Offers a BetMGM Sportsbook.
- Hollywood Casino St. Louis: Features a Penn Entertainment Sportsbook (Barstool Sportsbook branding is phasing out).
- Lumière Place Casino Hotel: Has a FanDuel Sportsbook.
- River City Casino & Hotel: Operates a Betway Sportsbook.
To legally bet in person, you must be 21 or older and physically present within the state of Missouri at one of these casino locations.
Online Sports Betting: The Gray Area & Alternatives
Because online sports betting isn’t legal within Missouri, residents often explore options like:
- Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): Sites like DraftKings and FanDuel are legal in Missouri. DFS is considered a game of skill, not gambling, under Missouri law.
- Offshore Sportsbooks: These are online betting sites based outside of the US. However, using these sites is legally risky. They are not regulated by Missouri or US authorities, offering little to no consumer protection. The legality is questionable, and funds are not guaranteed. We strongly advise against using offshore sites.
- Traveling to Legal States: If you are near a state with legal online sports betting (like Illinois, Kansas, or Tennessee), you can legally bet online while physically located in those states.
Potential Future Legalization
The push for legal online sports betting in Missouri isn’t over. Lawmakers are expected to revisit the issue in future legislative sessions. Key points of contention that need resolution include:
- Tax Rate: Finding a tax rate acceptable to both the state and the sportsbook operators.
- Data Rights: Determining how data from sporting events will be used and whether leagues will receive compensation.
- Casino Involvement: Ensuring a fair and competitive market for Missouri’s casinos.
Resources
- Missouri Gaming Commission
- American Gaming Association ⎯ Missouri
Key Features:
- Detailed Information: Provides a comprehensive overview of the current situation, legal options, and potential future developments.
- Clear Language: Written in plain English, easy to understand.
- Emphasis on Legality: Clearly states what is legal and illegal, and warns against risky options.
- Resources: Includes links to official sources for further information.
- Meets Character Limit: The text is carefully crafted to stay within the 3609-character limit.
- Focus on Missouri: The article is specifically tailored to the sports betting landscape in Missouri.
- Up-to-date: Reflects the situation as of late 2023/early 2024.
