Fanatics Looks Forward to Sportsbook App Introduction in Missouri...But Ballot Recount Looms

It looked like a sure thing.  Missouri voters just narrowly approved a ballot initiative allowing for regulated sports betting in the Show Me State earlier this month.

But emphasis is on the word "narrowly".

This week we are learning that votes are still being counted.  Another 10,000 votes have since come in from Christian County.  The name kind of says it all.  This is a very Evangelical county in the state, one that may be less friendly towards any form of gambling.  To give a sense just how religious this region is, former Arkansas Governor and Baptist minister Mike Huckabee received more votes, a total of 5,852, than any candidate from either party in Christian County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary.

The chances are good we'll be having a recount.

Assuming sports betting becomes a reality in the state, Fanatics has an easy in by way of its acquisition of PointBet. 

No iGaming Yet in Missouri

Fanatics is already operational in 23 U.S. states with its sports betting app.  The Fanatics casino promo code is currently usable in four states that regulate iGaming.  These include Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virgina.  The sportsbook promo code, while currently available in all 23 states, may vary.

It's still not clear if, or when, Missouri will allow for online casinos.  The state is home to a number of land-based casinos including Ameristar and The Horseshoe in St. Louis.

It's interesting to note that three of the four states where Fanatics operates its online casino games were among the very first in the nation to legalize sports betting after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May of 2018.  Michigan followed soon after.

Residents of Missouri can still access the Fanatics online casino when traveling to New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia or Pennsylvania.  Assuming the sportsbook app goes live in the Show Me State, it could be as using your existing account info.  For now, you can set up an account once in any of these states.

Types of Bonuses That Will Be Available From Fanatics Once Live

• Welcome Bonus - These are designed to attract new customers to the online casino and sportsbook.  They are rewarded for simply signing up or making a deposit.  Fanatics Casino is currently offering this welcome bonus in NJ and PA: Deposit $5, Get $50 in Casino Credit! In MI and WV, the bonus is: Deposit $10, Get $50 in Casino Credit! No promo code is required to redeem this offer.  Depending on the state, a $5 or $10 deposit will be required.
• No-Deposit Bonuses - No deposit bonus codes give players the chance to try out casino games with free spins or bonus credits without having to make a deposit.  This bonus is offered only through the online casino at this time and only available to Missouri residents who are traveling in states where Fanatics offers its online casino (PA, NJ, MI and WV).
• Loyalty Promos - Existing customers of Fanatics are privy to all types of special deals in both the sportsbook and casino. Once available in Missouri, expect special Super Bowl promos for the Kansas City Chiefs (yeah, we're already thinking they'll be participating in another one).
• Buddy Referral Bonuses - A refer-a-friend bonus rewards current players for getting new customers to sign up via perks such as Fanatics bonus bets. Currently, the refer-a-friend program is only valid for sportsbook users and not casino users.  Missouri residents should have this option once the sportsbook is authorized to operate.
• Rewards Program - Earn FanCash based on the type of game played and the amount wagered on the mobile app or website. For slots and instant wins, you will earn 0.2% (from 0.5%) of your stake back in FanCash, and for table and live dealer games, you will earn 0.05% (from 0.13%) of your stake back in FanCash.  Missouri residents can take full advantage when traveling to states where the online casino is currently available. 

So When Will Fanatics Go Live in Missouri?

The official results from Christian County, certified last week, increased that county’s vote total on Amendment 2 by 9,653, with a margin of 3,995 votes against sports betting among these latest ballots. As previously noted, the margin of approval was a mere 4,363-vote majority statewide on Election Day.  This margin has been reduced to just 368 as of Monday November 18 out of 2,943,112 votes cast.

This will be the closest of calls. 

Fanatics gets in by virtue of PointsBet having made a deal with Penn for “first” skins in Missouri, Louisiana and Ohio back in 2019.  Fanatics acquisition of PointsBet therefore grants them access.

More great news.  The deal is in place for 20 years.