Missouri Sports Betting Launch Sees Over 250,000 New Accounts

Bettors in the Show-Me State didn’t waste time getting started on Monday.

The Missouri sports betting market went live on Monday. The launch saw 250,000 active accounts created during the two-week registration period, according to GeoComply. Around 190,000 new accounts were created once the market went live, showing the hype around the market was well-deserved. 

On launch day, GeoComply confirmed it saw around 2.6 million location checks.

Battle Over Sports Betting Finally Ends

Sports betting has been a hot topic in Missouri for years, but stiff opposition has prevented any bills from reaching the Governor’s desk. 

The public opposition included several lobby groups who warned of the dangers that sports betting would bring. They argued this would ultimately hurt Missouri families, negating any benefits from the corresponding spike in tax revenue.

While those groups were active, polls showed that the majority of residents approved of launching a regulated sports betting market. However, a small group of lawmakers ensured that every bill to legalize the industry failed. This included the use of the controversial filibuster, creating a legislative deadlock.

Missouri finally got around the roadblock by allowing a public vote, which was narrowly passed. Fears remained that the opposition would force the market to miss its required December 1 launch date. With that date now passed, the battle is finally over.

Penn’s Canadian Sportsbook Makes US Debut

While Missouri’s sports betting launch was successful, it encountered some unexpected issues over the last month. Two sportsbooks that had licenses announced they would not launch in Missouri, shrinking the market weeks before launch.

One of those sportsbooks was ESPN Bet, which Penn had operated until it was shuttered on December 1. Instead of forfeiting the state license, the operator decided to launch theScore Bet. The sportsbook has seen much success in Canada and will finally have a chance to test its luck in the US.

Launch Comes at Tense Time

A lot has changed in the sports betting industry since Missouri legalized it in November 2024, and not for the better.

One significant change involves a shift in public opinion toward the industry. The continued rise of problem gambling remains a concern, and a recent slew of pro betting scandals has come to light. This has residents concerned and pro leagues looking to protect the integrity of their products. Several prominent lawmakers have also expressed regret over supporting sports betting, with some pushing to undo the change.

Another worrying change is the emergence of sports prediction markets. The industry doesn’t adhere to gambling regulations or pay taxes, posing a significant threat to states with regulated markets. That now includes Missouri, which will see both DraftKings and FanDuel launch their own prediction platforms.