A Big-Time Sportsbook Operator is Joining the Missouri Sports Betting Market

With the launch of sports betting in Missouri now confirmed for December 2025, we can now expect to see marquee operators striking deals with local casinos. In fact, the Missouri sports betting market has already its first mainstream name. 

The sports betting operator in question? That would be BetMGM, one of the most recognizable names in the industry. The company has reportedly inked a partnership with Century Casinos, Inc. that will see it launch a mobile Missouri sports betting app.

“Missouri sports bettors soon won’t have to cross state lines to place their bets,” writes Madison Steward of KFVS 12. “Century Casinos, Inc. has entered into an agreement with BetMGM to offer Missouri sports bettors a mobile sports betting app. Century Casino Vice President Lyle Randolph says, ‘We’re excited to have a high-level partner to launch here in Missouri.’ Starting in December, BetMGM will operate an online and mobile sports betting application under Century’s license in Missouri.”

This is the first of many partnerships to come in The Show-Me State. Amendment 2, which legalized sports betting in Missouri, calls for online sports betting sites to link up with casinos in the region. It is a stipulation designed to protect brick-and-mortar operations while still offering Missouri online sports betting to the residents.

Full Details on BetMGM Entering the Missouri Sports Betting Market

Here is Steward with more more reporting on the BetMGM partnership with a Missouri casino:

“Because of the partnership, future gamers in the Cape Girardeau casino could see a sportsbook or other promotions. ‘I think that one of the pieces that we look at is the opportunity to really create special events that tie into sports, you know, march madness, the Super Bowl,’ Randolph explains. “Regardless, I think that it gives us an opportunity to really focus on those kinds of events.’ Randolph says he’s looking forward to Missouri sports fans being able to place bets on their favorite sports and events, ‘We’re very excited about the partnership with BetMGM. It’s a top-notch operator in that online betting space.”

Randolph’s final sentiments ring particularly true. The vast majority of sports betting in the United States now takes place online. At this point, in fact, more than 90 percent of all bets placed in the USA are likely processed through an online sportsbook. 

This shift to remote gambling has compelled states to rework their legalization models. Previously, it was not uncommon to see only on-site betting go live. Now, though, lawmakers seem more focused on limiting the independence with which online sports betting in the United States gets to operate. 

Out-of-State Sports Betting is a Huge Factor Driving Online Sports Partnerships

Some think Missouri could drum up more support for sports betting by sticking to an on-site model. That certainly seems to explain the incredibly narrow margin with which Amendment 2 passed. 

However, as Randolph explains, the state and its casinos view online wagering partnerships as necessary in the current climate. “Right now, you consider that people are going across the [Mississippi] River and betting in Illinois or in other states,” he said (via Steward). ‘And so again for those tax dollars to remain in Missouri, and then also if you’re using the BetMGM app, that means that that partnership is benefiting the local operation here in Cape Girardeau.”

Randolph is correct here. Plenty of data shows that Missourians routinely cross state lines to capitalize on online sports betting in Illinois. Exclusively allowing in-person betting would eat into some of that out-of-state business. It likely would not make a huge difference.

Think about it: Not every Missourian has easy access to casinos. For some, in-person sportsbooks could wind up being hours away from where they live. They might still visit those locations on occasion. They are not going to consistently go there—especially if they live closer to bordering state lines.

Expect More Missouri Sports Betting Partnerships to be Finalized Soon

BetMGM’s partnership with Century Casino, Inc. will be the first of many. (Of note, though: The agreement isn’t technically finalized yet. It is still awaiting regulatory and licensing approvals.) Other sportsbooks will be entering the fold, and the Missouri sports betting market is one that should attract all the usual heavy hitters, including FanDuel and DraftKings. 

Projections on The Show-Me State’s revenue potential aren’t widely available and incredibly preliminary. But their population of 6.2 million people bodes well for their returns. That is almost an identical number to the Maryland sports betting market. And just last year, The Old Line State generated $82.3 million in sports betting tax revenue.

It could take the Missouri sports betting market a while to catch up to that figure. Especially when they are launching after the start of the 2025 NFL regular season. Still, the Missouri sports betting tax rate is right in line with Maryland’s own (10 percent vs 10.7 percent). The Show-Me State also has more professional sports franchises inside their market. That could actually mean they surpass the revenue of states with larger populations.

Of course, a more concrete outlook will require time and space for the Missouri sports betting market to take shape and grow. That will take years. But the way in which they’re prepared to launch ensures that they’ll be well positioned to keep pace with an industry that’s increasingly reliant on online business. 

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can find one that works for all of your sports betting needs: