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Missouri Sports Betting

Missouri Sports Betting Legalization News

Show Me sports betting in Missouri in 2020?

After failing to get legal Missouri sports betting legalization to the state finish line in 2018 and 2019, lawmakers were hopeful that 2020 is the year. But more delays caused by Covid-19 shutdowns slowed the legislative process and also meant would-be bettors could not be in casinos placing wagers anyway.

There appears to be support for legal sports betting at Missouri casinos and also via online operators (presumably those partnered with those existing casinos). But there are some wrinkles to iron out, in particular around whether ‘integrity fees’ should be paid to sports leagues and also whether lawmakers should decide the matter or put it up for a referendum in November elections.

But in April 2020 when the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported the NBA and MLB did not renew contracts for lobbyists, it was clear that 2020 was lost and 2021 became the next target date for a Missouri sports betting legalization push.

Is sports betting legal in Missouri?

Not as of early 2020, but it seems this may be the year. Reps Cody Smith and Phil Christofanelli each advanced bills, which garnered support from various factions. Both prefer the legislature make the decision and not wait for public votes, as other states have done to ensure they have a mandate from citizens.

Where can I bet at Missouri sportsbooks?

The current bills suggest sportsbooks will be set up at existing casinos and there will also be online sports wagering courtesy of those operations.

What about mobile sports betting apps in Missouri?

Some states expressly curtail mobile betting. But Missouri sports betting bills have included this and lawmakers seem to understand the necessity of having this available to people who live far from land-based casinos.

What is the legal sports betting age in Missouri?

Currently, you must be 21 to engage in casino gambling and this is expected to be the case for inevitable sports betting rules. The legal age is 18 for bingos and other charity gambling, as well as lotteries.

Who is allowed to offer Missouri sports betting?

The expectation based on wording is that the 13 state casinos will have the opportunity to offer sports betting in Missouri. They include:

  • Ameristar Casino Resort Spa – St. Charles
  • Ameristar Casino Hotel – Kansas City
  • Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa – Riverside
  • Century Casino Cape Girardeau – Cape Girardeau
  • Century Casino Caruthersville – Caruthersville
  • Harrah’s North Kansas City – North Kansas City
  • Hollywood Casino St. Louis- Maryland Heights
  • Isle of Capri Casino Hotel – Boonville
  • Isle of Capri Casino – Kansas City
  • Lumière Place Casino & Hotels – Downtown St. Louis
  • Mark Twain Casino – La Grange
  • River City Casino & Hotel – Lemay
  • St. Jo Frontier Casino – St. Joseph

Who regulates or licenses Missouri sports betting?

Missouri Gaming Commission is expected to have oversight of sports betting in Missouri, as well as mobile/online spin-offs. The current bill heading into discussions for 2020 was the HB 2284 ‘Authorizes Spirts Wagering.’

What sports will be favorites of Missouri sports bettors?

Missouri boasts an array of professional and college sports teams that would be favorites for bettors in the state. The state has twice lost NFL franchises (the Rams to LA and the Cardinals to Arizona) but still has the Kansas City Chiefs, Super Bowl 54 champions.

The state also lost an NBA team decades ago when the Kansas City Kings departed for Sacramento. The NHL is represented by 2019 Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues and Sporting Kansas City in MLS. The Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals also have championship pedigree in MLB.

On the college side, the Missouri Tigers dominate the state betting landscape in both college football and basketball. Four other programs compete in Div. 1 basketball including the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), UMKC Roos in the Summit League, Missouri State Bears of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and Saint Louis Billikens of the Atlantic 10.