The Current State of Sports Betting in Missouri
Sports betting is officially live in Missouri. After years of debate and failed attempts in the legislature, voters approved a 2024 ballot measure that legalized sports betting statewide. As of December 2025, adults 21 and older can place legal bets through licensed mobile apps or at retail sportsbooks across the state, as long as they’re physically located in Missouri when placing a wager.
How Sports Betting Became Legal in Missouri
Years of Failed Legislative Attempts
Missouri lawmakers debated sports betting for several years before it was ultimately legalized in the last year. Beginning in the late 2010s, multiple bills were introduced, but none were able to clear all the necessary hurdles.
The friction didn’t stem from whether sports betting should be legal, but from how it should be structured. Lawmakers disagreed about issues around how tax revenue should be allocated, and whether licenses should be controlled only by casinos or also extend to professional sports teams. These disagreements repeatedly stalled progress which resulted in Missouri ending multiple legislative sessions without successfully passing a sports betting bill.
The Turning Point: Amendment 2 (2024)
After years of legislative gridlock, the debate moved to the ballot in Missouri. In November 2024, voters approved Amendment 2, which was a statewide ballot initiative that amended the Missouri Constitution to legalize sports betting.
The measure passed by a small margin, reflecting the ongoing debate around the issue. Nonetheless, it was enough to legalize both online and retail sports wagering. With voter approval secured, the focus shifted to finalizing the regulatory landscape.
Regulatory Rollout and Launch
After Amendment 2 passed, attention shifted to the Missouri Gaming Commission who was in charge of implementation. Throughout 2025, the commission developed regulations, opened the licensing process, and reviewed applications from a variety of sportsbook operators.
The regulatory process encompassed both mobile and retail sportsbooks, different technology approvals, and responsible gambling requirements. Once these details were squared away, sportsbooks were cleared to launch.
In December 2025, Missouri officially went live with legal sports betting throughout the state. This allows adults 21 and older to place bets through licensed mobile apps and approved retail locations while within the state.
What’s Legal to Bet on in Missouri
With sports betting legalized, Missouri now allows a wide range of betting options through several licensed operators. Both mobile and retail sportsbooks can offer bets throughout the state of Missouri, subject to specific rules set by regulators.
Below is a breakdown of what’s allowed, certain restrictions, and where bets can be placed.
Approved Betting Markets
Most major sports and standard betting formats are fair game to bet on in Missouri now. Legal betting options include:
- Professional sports such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, etc.
- College sports (with certain restrictions noted below)
- Moneylines, spreads, and totals
- Parlays and futures
- Live (in-game) betting
- Player and team prop bets (with a few restrictions noted below)
College Sports Restrictions
Missouri allows betting on college sports, but the law does include certain restrictions.
While players can bet on the outcomes of college games, player prop bets involving individual athletes from Missouri-based colleges are restricted. This limitation is enforced with the intention to address integrity and avoid fraud.
Where You Can Place Bets
Missouri offers both online and in-person sports betting options.
- Mobile sportsbooks: Licensed apps that allow users to place bets anywhere within Missouri, as long as they are physically located inside state lines at the time of placing the wager.
- Retail sportsbooks: In-person betting is available at approved casino locations and other licensed venues
It is important to check that your desired platform is a permitted and licensed operator when registering accounts, deposits, and withdrawals. There are several options within the state of Missouri right now.
What the Sportsbook Market Looks Like in Missouri
Missouri’s legalization of sports betting created a competitive sportsbook market within the state. Multiple national operators have already launched mobile apps and retail sportsbooks under licenses issued by the Missouri Gaming Commission. These players include platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, bet365, and more. Each sportsbook offers its own odds, promotions, and betting interfaces, but they largely operate under the same core model.
These traditional sportsbooks set their own lines and prices, building a house margin into each market. In most cases, that margin appears as standard pricing like -110 on both sides of the spreads and totals. While some sportsbooks might offer marginally better odds in some spots, all of these players rely on the built-in vig to generate revenue.
Luckily for Missouri sports fans, there are other options outside of sportsbooks to participate. Sports prediction markets, like Novig, offer a way for players to legally place trades without having to pay the built-in vig that the house would typically take.
Why Novig Still Wins in Missouri
Even with fully legal sportsbooks available, pricing remains one of the biggest costs for players long-term. Traditional sportsbooks charge that cost through built-in margins. Novig, on the other hand, operates with a different structure.
Instead of acting as a bookmaker, it operates as a sports prediction market, which changes how prices are formed. For players who care about long-term value and having the sharpest edge, that distinction matters.
What Novig Does Differently
Novig is not a traditional sportsbook. Instead of setting lines themselves, Novig allows users to trade sports outcomes directly against other users.
Since there is no house setting prices and no fixed spread, prices move based on supply and demand. This prevents users from being locked into standard sportsbook odds. Novig also does not charge commissions on trades which allows users to be a step ahead.
Why No-Vig Pricing Matters
The sportsbook margin, often referred to as “vig,” is the main cost that users pay over time. Even small differences can be the difference between winning and losing across a full season of playing.
No-vig pricing allows users to play with more competitive odds and get more expected value on trades. In Missouri, Novig functions as a strong pricing alternative for individuals that like to get the most value.
What Missouri Bettors Can Do Today
As of December 2025, the state of Missouri now has access to a fully legal sports betting market. Adults 21 and older can place bets through licensed mobile apps and approved retail locations throughout the whole state.
With the Missouri market opened up, there are a wide variety of options for players to place their money. For users who want better pricing with more favorable odds, Sports prediction markets like Novig remain a valuable choice.
As with any sports wagering, bettors should review platform terms, understand market rules, and make use of responsible play tools where available.
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri allows both online and retail sports betting through state-licensed operators.
When did sports betting launch in Missouri?
Legal sports betting launched statewide in late 2025 following the introduction of Amendment 2 in the November 2024 election.
How old do you have to be to bet in Missouri?
You must be at least 21 years old to place a legal sports bet in Missouri.
Do I have to be in Missouri to place a bet?
Yes - you must be physically located within Missouri when placing a wager, even if you have an account with a licensed sportsbook.
Can you bet on college sports in Missouri?
Yes - college sports betting is allowed. However, player prop bets involving athletes from Missouri-based colleges are restricted.
Is Novig legal in Missouri?
Yes - as a prediction market (not a licensed sportsbook). Always review Novig’s in-app eligibility and Terms.
