After years of debate, the wait is finally over. On November 5, 2024, voters narrowly approved Amendment 2, paving the way for legal Missouri sports betting. Just over a year later, wagers are now live at online and in-person sportsbooks, marking a major cultural and economic shift in the Show-Me State.
The rollout, which began Monday, allows Missourians to place bets from anywhere in the state through eight licensed platforms. All thirteen MO casinos now feature sportsbooks, with Kansas City and St. Louis hosting launch-day celebrations featuring local sports legends such as Brett Hull, Isaac Bruce, and Trent Green.
Yet, the debut didn’t come without challenges. In St. Louis, snowfall dampened opening-day crowds, with Caesars’ Horseshoe Casino seeing limited foot traffic. Still, determined bettors braved the weather to place their first wagers at a local book.
Economic Promise and Educational Boost
Proponents have long touted sports betting as a win for Missouri’s economy. The successful campaign to legalize wagering, which was fueled by a $43 million push from domestic industry leaders, is expected to generate tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue.
Under Amendment 2, sports gaming operators pay a 10% tax on adjusted gross revenue. The Missouri Gaming Commission retains a portion to cover regulatory costs, while the remainder is split between education funding and compulsive gambling prevention.
Early projections estimate annual revenue between $20 million and $28 million, though the state acknowledges that precise numbers will only become clear after a full year of operations.
Rising Concerns Over Addiction
Even as optimism runs high, addiction specialists warn that the ease of mobile sports betting brings new risks. The state established a $5 million compulsive-gambling fund to expand treatment, and apps now feature built-in safety measures such as spending limits and self-exclusion options.
Gaming operators, aware of these concerns, have begun implementing new responsible gaming tools, such as time and spending tracking in real-time.
Offshore Options Remain In Play
Sports betting sites that operate overseas will continue to accept gamblers located inside MO. The question is, are they still relevant? The resounding answer is yes.
The minimum age to bet on sports in MO at local sportsbooks is 21, while many offshore sportsbooks accept players starting at 18. There are also markets that local outlets will not cover, such as entertainment betting and gambling on election results.
Nearly every international betting site we encounter accepts deposits and issues payouts in cryptocurrency. If that’s your thing, you won’t find an option locally.
Ultimately, the winners are the local bettors in MO, as they now have access to the best options from both offshore and domestic operators.