Missouri Becomes the Latest US State to Legalize Sports Betting With Voter Referendum Win

Sports betting is now legal in Missouri courtesy of a ballot referendum narrowly passing on Tuesday.

The only remaining question now that voters approved Amendment 2 is whether bettors will use platforms licensed in Missouri or if players will have to use accounts linked to licenses from other states. The amendment directs the Missouri Gaming Commission to make sports betting available by Dec. 1, 2025.  The amendment passed with just over 50% of the vote.

The push to legalize sports wagering in Missouri began after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal law against wagering on sporting events in 2018.  Missouri becomes the 39th state to approve legalized sports wagering.

“Missouri has some of the best sports fans in the world, and they showed up big for their favorite teams on Election Day,” St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III said. “On behalf of all six of Missouri’s professional sports franchises, we want to thank the Missouri voters who made their voices heard by approving Amendment 2. This historic vote makes Missouri the 39th state to legalize sports betting and ensures we no longer lose valuable tax revenue to our neighboring states. Most importantly, the passage of Amendment 2 means a new, dedicated, permanent funding stream for Missouri classrooms.”

Show Me State voters did say “no” to Amendment 5, which would have authorized a new casino near the Lake of the Ozarks.

What to Expect With the New Law

The amendment legalizes in-person and online sports betting licenses for the state’s casinos and sports teams with two untethered online sportsbooks.

Sports betting revenue will be taxed at 10 percent.

Caesars and ESPN Bet's parent company, Penn Entertainment already have a footprint in the state.  Thus, we anticipate both to offer their apps here.

Likewise, Boyd Gaming operates the Ameristar properties in Kansas City and St. Charles.

Century maintains a presence in the state as well and already provides access for bet365 in Colorado.

Considering DraftKings and FanDuel pumped in substantial money towards the sports wagering legalization effort, one would anticipate both gaining access to the Missouri market.

By  Gilbert Horowitz Gilbert is the esteemed reporter for Gambling911 covering all gamuts of the industry.  He has been with the site for the better part of a decade.  Gilbert works out of the Miami Beach bureau.