TL;DR: Sports betting is fully legal and live in Missouri as of 2026, following voter approval of Amendment 2 in the November 2024 election. Adults 21 and older can place bets through licensed mobile sportsbooks or at approved retail locations while physically located in the state. In addition to traditional sportsbooks, Missouri bettors can also use sports prediction markets like Novig, which offer peer-to-peer trading with no built-in vig.
Current Legal Status in Missouri (2026)
Sports betting is fully legal and live in Missouri.
After years of legislative gridlock, voters approved a statewide ballot measure in 2024 that legalized sports betting. As of 2026, adults 21 and older can place legal sports bets through licensed mobile apps or at approved retail sportsbooks, as long as they are physically located within Missouri at the time of the wager.
Missouri now operates a competitive, regulated sports betting market overseen by the Missouri Gaming Commission.
How Sports Betting Became Legal in Missouri
Years of Failed Legislative Attempts
For much of the late 2010s and early 2020s, Missouri lawmakers debated sports betting without success. Multiple bills were introduced across several sessions, but none were able to pass both chambers.
The core disagreement was not whether sports betting should be legal, but how it should be structured. Lawmakers repeatedly clashed over:
- How tax revenue should be distributed
- Whether licenses should be limited to casinos or extended to professional sports teams
Those disagreements stalled progress year after year, leaving Missouri without legal sports betting while neighboring states moved forward.
The Turning Point: Amendment 2 (2024)
After years of legislative deadlock, the issue shifted directly to voters.
In November 2024, Missouri voters narrowly approved Amendment 2, a constitutional amendment that legalized both online and retail sports betting statewide. While the margin was close, the approval was enough to move the process forward and force implementation.
Once the amendment passed, the focus shifted from debate to execution.
Regulatory Rollout and Launch
Following voter approval, the Missouri Gaming Commission took the lead on implementation.
Throughout 2025, the commission:
- Drafted and finalized sports betting regulations
- Opened the licensing process for operators
- Reviewed applications for mobile and retail sportsbooks
- Established responsible gambling and compliance requirements
After completing those steps, sportsbooks were approved to launch.
In December 2025, Missouri officially went live with legal sports betting statewide. That status continues unchanged into 2026.
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
Legal betting options in Missouri 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
College sports betting is legal in Missouri, but with safeguards.
While users can bet on college game outcomes, player prop bets involving individual athletes from Missouri-based colleges are restricted. This rule is designed to protect integrity and reduce the risk of improper influence.
Where You Can Place Bets in Missouri
Missouri offers both mobile and in-person betting options.
- Mobile sportsbooks: Licensed apps allow users to place bets anywhere within Missouri, provided they are physically located inside state lines at the time of the wager.
- Retail sportsbooks: In-person betting is available at approved casino locations and other licensed venues throughout the state.
Before signing up, users should always confirm that a platform is properly licensed and approved by Missouri regulators.
What the Sportsbook Market Looks Like in Missouri
Legalization created a competitive sportsbook environment in Missouri. Multiple national sportsbook operators now offer mobile apps and retail betting under licenses issued by the Missouri Gaming Commission. While each platform offers different promotions and user interfaces, they largely operate under the same core sportsbook model.
Traditional sportsbooks:
- Set their own lines and odds
- Build a house margin into each market
- Commonly price spreads and totals around -110
Even in a competitive market, that built-in margin is how sportsbooks generate revenue over time.
Why Novig Still Wins in Missouri
Even with fully legal sportsbooks available, pricing remains one of the biggest long-term costs for bettors.
Sportsbooks bake that cost directly into their odds. Novig, alternatively, operates under a different structure that removes the house from the pricing equation.
Instead of acting as a bookmaker, Novig functions as a sports prediction market. That distinction changes how prices are formed and why many value-focused players prefer it.
What Novig Does Differently
Novig is not like a traditional sportsbook. Rather than setting lines itself, Novig allows users to trade sports outcomes directly against other users. Prices move based on supply and demand, not a fixed house line.
Since there is no bookmaker:
- Users aren’t locked into standard sportsbook odds
- There is no built-in vig on each trade
For players who care about long-term value and sharper pricing, that structure can make a meaningful difference.
Why No-Vig Pricing Matters
No-vig pricing allows users to trade at more competitive odds and capture more expected value. In a state like Missouri, where sportsbooks are widely available, Novig stands out as a strong pricing alternative for players who prioritize efficiency over promos.
What Missouri Bettors Can Do Today
As of 2026, Missouri offers a fully legal sports betting market.
Adults 21 and older can:
- Place bets through licensed mobile sportsbooks
- Bet in person at approved retail locations
- Participate in sports prediction markets like Novig for no-vig pricing
With so many options available, bettors should compare pricing, understand platform rules, and use responsible play tools where offered.
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?
Sports betting launched statewide in December 2025 following voter approval of Amendment 2 in November 2024.
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.
Can you bet on college sports in Missouri?
Yes. College sports betting is allowed, but player prop bets involving athletes from Missouri-based colleges are restricted.
Is Novig legal in Missouri?
Yes. Novig operates as a sports prediction market rather than a licensed sportsbook. Always review in-app eligibility requirements and platform terms.
