When Does Sports Betting Start in Missouri?
Missouri has been in a long legislative struggle over the legalization of sports betting, despite growing momentum and public support. As of mid-2025, sports betting has not yet launched in Missouri, but significant developments point toward a likely start date in 2026, depending on voter approval or legislative action in the upcoming sessions.
Background of Sports Betting in Missouri
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 2018 to overturn PASPA (the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act), individual states gained the authority to regulate sports betting. While many neighboring states like Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Arkansas swiftly legalized sports wagering, Missouri has repeatedly stalled due to disagreements in the state legislature, particularly over the inclusion of video lottery terminals (VLTs).
Several bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate each year since 2019, but none have made it through both chambers. The most contentious issue has been between lawmakers wanting a clean sports betting bill and those tying it to broader gambling expansions including VLTs, which face opposition from casinos and regulatory bodies.
Key Legislative Events
In 2023 and 2024, bills such as HB 556 and SB 30 gained strong bipartisan support, with major backing from professional sports teams in Missouri, including the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals. These bills outlined frameworks for mobile and retail sports betting, taxation models, and regulatory oversight by the Missouri Gaming Commission. Despite clear public and stakeholder support, the bills failed due to filibusters and political disagreements.
Ballot Initiative as a Path Forward
Due to repeated legislative failures, sports franchises and industry supporters have shifted their focus toward a 2026 ballot initiative. This would allow Missouri voters to decide on the legalization of sports betting directly. Signatures for such an initiative are being gathered in 2025 with the aim of putting the measure on the November 2026 ballot.
If the initiative passes, legal sports betting in Missouri could be expected to launch in mid-to-late 2026, depending on how quickly the regulatory framework is finalized.
Current Alternatives for Missourians
Although sports betting is not yet available within Missouri borders, many residents cross into neighboring states where it is legal, especially Kansas and Illinois. Several sportsbook operators have also geofenced their apps to allow use right across state lines, making Missouri a key target market once legalization occurs.
Conclusion
Sports betting has not yet started in Missouri as of 2025, but the landscape is shifting. Legislative gridlock has slowed progress, but a 2026 ballot initiative could be the breakthrough moment. If voters approve it, Missouri residents could finally enjoy legal sports betting in their home state by late 2026 or early 2027. Until then, the state remains one of the few in the Midwest without a regulated sports wagering market.
