Missouri Sports Betting Launches Online, Ignoring In-Stadium Options

Missouri is set to officially launch its legal sports betting market on December 1, 2023, but notably, no professional sports teams have opted to establish in-stadium sportsbooks. This decision reflects a broader trend where online betting is increasingly preferred over in-person wagering.

The launch follows a narrow approval of a ballot measure in 2024 that allows for in-stadium sportsbooks within the state. Despite this, none of the six eligible professional sports venues have announced plans to open retail sportsbooks. It is projected that more than 95% of all wagers placed in Missouri will come from mobile apps, underscoring a significant shift in consumer behavior.

Among the eligible teams, only the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis CITY SC have partnered with third-party sportsbook operators ahead of the launch. Although the Cardinals, who have been vocal advocates for the 2024 measure, could establish a FanDuel-branded retail sportsbook at their Ballpark Village entertainment district, no formal announcements have been made.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals are also in the mix, but both teams are currently exploring new stadium options, which may diminish their interest in retail sportsbooks. The Chiefs and Royals share a sports complex several miles from downtown Kansas City, further complicating potential retail sportsbook ventures.

As the industry evolves, in-person betting is becoming a smaller fraction of total gambling revenues. Initially accounting for 15% to 20% of total betting after the Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, in-person wagering has plummeted to around 5%. The rise of mobile platforms has made it easier for bettors to place wagers, offering a wider variety of betting options, including lucrative single-game parlays.

Even for dedicated sports fans attending games, the convenience of mobile betting outweighs the experience of placing bets in person. This trend is not unique to Missouri; many regions that allow in-person sportsbooks have seen closures. For instance, in Washington, D.C., two of three sportsbooks have announced their closure since their launch.

In Missouri, several casinos are preparing to launch their sportsbooks. Fanatics will operate at Ameristar properties in St. Louis and Kansas City, while Caesars will establish books at Harrah’s Kansas City and Horseshoe St. Louis. PENN Entertainment is also set to open ESPN BET sportsbooks at all three of its Missouri casinos.

Several prominent online operators, including DraftKings and Circa, have already secured mobile licenses and are ready to go live on December 1. They are expected to be joined by bet365, FanDuel, Caesars, ESPN BET, BetMGM, and Fanatics in this burgeoning market.

The landscape of sports betting continues to shift towards online platforms, with consumer preferences clearly favoring convenience and variety. As Missouri prepares to enter the competitive arena, it seems poised to align with national trends, prioritizing mobile wagering over traditional retail operations.