bet365 secured an indirect sports betting license for Missouri’s market. The operator will start mobile betting on December 1 when the Missouri Gaming Commission officially opens online wagering statewide.
The company also locked in a partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals. The MLB franchise becomes bet365’s official mobile sports betting partner once the market goes live.
Missouri bettors can download the bet365 app starting November 17. That’s two weeks before the actual launch. Users can set up accounts and check out features before placing their first wagers.
Why bet365 Chose the Indirect License Path
The Missouri Gaming Commission awarded just two direct licenses back in August. DraftKings and Circa Sports won those spots during the Commission’s August 15 decision.
Each direct license cost $500,000. But indirect licenses run $250,000 per operator. bet365 went the cheaper route by partnering with the Cardinals instead.
FanDuel took the same approach. The company filed for a direct license and made their case at the August 13 Commission meeting. Within hours of missing out, FanDuel signed a deal with St. Louis City SC, the professional soccer team.
Fanatics Betting and Gaming also picked up an indirect license. Three major operators chose partnerships over the pricier standalone option.
What bet365 Brings to Missouri Bettors
The operator plans a state-specific promotion for launch. Bet $10 and you’ll get $365 back. It’s a straightforward welcome offer for new Missouri users.
bet365 says it focuses on responsible gaming features. The platform includes early payout offers and spend limits. Session duration warnings help users track their time.
All these tools will be available to Missouri customers from day one. The operator emphasized these safeguards in its launch announcement.
The app download window opens November 17. That gives bettors a chance to get familiar with the interface before real money goes on the line December 1.
How This Fits bet365’s US Growth
Missouri becomes bet365’s 15th US state. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency approved the operator’s application on August 28. That marked another step in the company’s American expansion.
The Missouri launch puts bet365 in direct competition with established players. DraftKings and FanDuel already have strong market positions across multiple states. Circa Sports brings a different angle with its Vegas roots.
Sports betting operators continue pushing into newly regulated markets. Missouri’s December 1 launch represents fresh territory for mobile wagering. And bet365’s Cardinals partnership gives them instant brand recognition in St. Louis, one of the state’s biggest sports markets.
The two-week pre-launch window sets Missouri apart from some other state rollouts. It lets operators build their user base before betting actually starts.
