- Underdog, one of the largest daily fantasy sports providers in the U.S., is gearing up for its second ever state sports betting launch
- Underdog has applied for an online sports betting license with the Missouri Gaming Commission
- The operator will likely be ready for Missouri’s sports betting launch on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025
Underdog, one of the largest daily fantasy sports operators in the country, is gearing up to expand its services as it awaits a ruling from the Missouri Gaming Commission for a sports betting license in the Show-Me State.
Underdog is one of five companies to apply for a partnered Missouri online sports betting license, joining Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, and Caesars Sportsbook to operate in the state. DraftKings and Circa Sports have already been awarded two untethered Missouri online sports betting licenses.
If awarded a license, Underdog will operate sports betting in two states. Underdog Fantasy, the company’s daily fantasy sports (DFS) division, has offered DFS in the Show-Me State for the last several years and offers games in 40 states.
Underdog Expanding Sports Betting Operations
While Underdog currently offers daily fantasy sports games in 40 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Ontario, it has started to expand more into the U.S. sports betting market.
Underdog applied for a North Carolina interactive sports betting operator license in early 2024 after agreeing to a partnership with McConnell Golf, which owns and operates Sedgefield Country Club, a private golf club, located in Greensboro and hosts the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship.
Underdog was awarded a license in February 2024 by the North Carolina Lottery Commission, its second sports betting license overall. It currently has a license to offer sports betting in Ohio, but has yet to launch in the Buckeye State.
Missouri will offer Underdog a chance to expand its sports betting market after holding a Missouri DFS license for the last several years. Underdog Fantasy has a large customer base in the state, which the company hopes will translate to the sports betting market.
Underdog is only planning to offer online sports betting in the Show-Me State, with no current plans for a retail sportsbook presence. It will launch sports betting in the middle of the lucrative NFL season, along with all other licensed operators, on Dec. 1, 2025.
Four Other Sports Betting Applicants
Missouri currently has a total of five sports betting applicants for partnered licenses, both retail and online.
FanDuel announced its Missouri market access partnership with MLS team St. Louis CITY SC. FanDuel arranged the partnership with St. Louis CITY SC after failing to secure one of two available untethered online sports betting licenses. FanDuel applied for an online sports betting license with the Missouri Gaming Commission.
Caesars Sportsbook applied for an online sports betting license and two retail sports betting licenses in the Show-Me State. Caesars Sportsbook used its Caesars Entertainment owned Harrah’s Kansas City and Horseshoe St. Louis casinos for its market access to enter Missouri.
Fanatics Sportsbook, which partnered with Boyd Gaming for market access, also applied for an online sports betting license and two retail sportsbook licenses at Boyd’s Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City and Ameristar Casino Resort and Spa St. Charles locations.
The Show-Me State only has a few more deadlines to reach before launching later this year. Here is the remaining Missouri sports betting schedule:
Sept. 12: All other partnered retail and online sports betting license applications must be completed
Dec. 1: Deadline for the launch of Missouri sports betting
Robert is an expert on sports betting in the United States, specifically the legalization process and regulation surrounding the industry.
