Published on: September 16, 2025, 11:49h.
Updated on: September 16, 2025, 12:03h.
- Missouri sportsbooks are set to launch on December 1, 2025
- Experts warn Missouri may not be equipped to manage a potential rise in gambling addiction
- Missourians voted to permit sports betting via a 2024 constitutional referendum
Missouri’s sports betting initiative is set to kick off on December 1, 2025, but concerns arise regarding the state’s readiness for potential fallout.
The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) is poised to grant approval for 10 sportsbooks to start taking wagers on the inaugural day of December.
The sportsbooks anticipated to receive temporary licenses for this launch include BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars Sportsbook, bet365, ESPN Bet, Kambi, Circa Sports, Fanatics Sportsbook, and Underdog Sports.
In a narrow vote last fall, Missourians approved a statewide ballot measure permitting both retail and online sports betting with a margin of under 3,000 votes. Despite public enthusiasm for accessing legal sports betting, health officials warn that the state is not adequately prepared for the potential societal impacts of increased gambling.
Challenges of Sports Betting
In an interview with St. Louis Public Radio, part of NPR, Keith Spare, chair of the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling, highlighted concerns over the state’s ability to support a growing number of problem gamblers.
“With sports betting, you can place a wager from virtually anywhere—your home, car, or during work breaks—anytime you wish,” Spare stated.
According to Spare, around 60% of Missourians engage in gambling, and 20% of these individuals exhibit characteristics of gambling disorders. The state hosts 13 land-based and riverboat casinos.
The added convenience of mobile sports betting may exacerbate these addiction rates, some experts warn.
“The simplicity of placing a wager online or via mobile phone makes it more likely for gambling issues to escalate quickly,” said Daniel Smith, former clinical director of the BetNoMore Gambling Programs at Assessment & Counseling Solutions in St. Louis.
Smith asserts that many counselors who assist individuals with gambling issues lack sufficient training in this domain.
“The primary challenge for those seeking assistance is encountering well-meaning counselors who have little knowledge about gambling addiction,” Smith added.
Recently, Casino.org reported on a study from the University of Massachusetts School of Public Health which indicated that the legalization of sports betting in Massachusetts led to an increase in problem gambling rates by over 7%. Many affected gamblers reported family and financial difficulties as a result of their gambling habits.
Missouri’s Sports Betting Framework
Under Missouri’s sports betting legislation, sportsbooks are required to contribute 10% of their gross income to the state. The initial $5 million accrued from sports betting will be allocated to the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund.
These funds support the Missouri Problem Gambling Helpline (888-BETS-OFF/888-238-7633), a year-round, around-the-clock resource for problem gambling support and referrals.
Additionally, these funds are utilized to assist the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling, Gamblers Anonymous, and to manage the MGC’s Voluntary Exclusion Program.