In a shocking move Friday, Missouri regulators awarded the state’s two untethered sports betting licenses to DraftKings and Circa Sports.
DraftKings and Circa beat out FanDuel, which was the third applicant for an untethered license, and expected by most to join DraftKings in receiving it from the Missouri Gaming Commission.
Missouri sports betting is scheduled to launch on Dec. 1, 2025.
Circa Sports, DraftKings First Official Entrants in Missouri Sports Betting Market
DraftKings Missouri felt like a foregone conclusion. It’s one of the two biggest online sports betting brands in the US, and was sure to have a presence in the Missouri market. Bettors can now be assured that they’ll be greeted with the sports betting giant and the DraftKings Missouri promo that will join it.
Circa Sports, however, was a bit of a surprise. It was a last-minute applicant for one of the coveted untethered licenses, throwing its hat into the ring with DraftKings and FanDuel. Those two are available in essentially every legal betting state, while Circa’s online betting app is only legal in Nevada, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and Kentucky.
Known more for its presence as one of largest and most popular retail sportsbooks in Las Vegas, Circa planting its flag in Missouri is truly a statement.
Untethered licenses are coveted because the operator would not have to share revenue with a partner. As the only state scheduled to launch in 2025 — or anytime soon — getting that access in Missouri will be a massive win.
FanDuel Can Still Apply for Missouri Sports Betting License
This move by the MGC does not mean FanDuel will not be joining the Missouri market and offer a FanDuel Missouri Promo for Show-Me State bettors. It has already stated its intention to apply for a partnered retail or online sports betting license.
The deadline for all partnered applications is Sept. 12.
Up to 14 online sports betting licenses can be awarded in the state, which will give bettors plenty of Missouri sports betting promos to choose from.
Underdog and Fanatics are the only other operators to have applied so far for a partnered Missouri betting license.
With nearly two decades of experience in sports media, Paul Costanzo turned his professional attention to sports betting and online gambling in January of 2022. He's covered every angle of the industry since then, managing and creating content for PlayMichigan and The Sporting News, and now SDS.
