DraftKings received a temporary direct mobile sports wagering license from the Missouri Gaming Commission earlier this year. The license lets the operator work statewide without tying to a casino or sports team.
Missouri becomes the 29th US state where DraftKings offers sports betting.
The operator holds partnerships with Missouri professional teams already. It’s been the Kansas City Chiefs’ official sports betting operator since 2022, and recently, DraftKings became an official partner for both sports betting and daily fantasy sports with the St. Louis Blues.
Why This Direct License Matters for Market Access
Direct mobile licenses give operators freedom that partnership deals don’t. DraftKings can reach customers across Missouri without splitting revenue or branding with casinos.
The company joins Circa Sports as the only operators holding these direct licenses. Missouri Gaming Commission awarded both licenses back in August.
bet365 took a different route. They launched November 17 through a partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals. So Missouri bettors now have three major operators competing for their business. Each operator chose different market entry strategies.
What DraftKings Plans for Launch Day
The operator goes live December 1 with an event at The Palladium in St. Louis. Missouri sports figures Tony Gonzalez, Isaac Bruce and Brett Hull will attend. Missouri House Speaker Jonathan Patterson speaks at the event too.
Customers get access to same-game parlays, in-game wagering and odds boosts through the mobile app.
The Blues partnership brings responsible gaming messages before every home game at the arena. DraftKings also gets rights to use team intellectual property in marketing materials.
The company’s donating $50,000 to Veterans Community Project. That money goes to their Tiny Homes program, which provides housing and services to homeless veterans in Missouri.
How This Changes Missouri’s Sports Betting Scene
DraftKings enters during peak sports season. NFL, NBA, NHL, college football and college basketball all run simultaneously.
Greg Karamitis, CRO at DraftKings, called Missouri “an exciting jurisdiction” because of its sports culture and professional teams. He said the company looks forward to “elevating the experience for Missouri sports fans, responsibly, with our top-rated online sportsbook.”
The timing gives DraftKings immediate access to high-volume betting periods. Missouri bettors can now choose between three major operators with different partnership structures. Each operator’s approach affects their market position and customer reach differently.
The direct license model may attract more operators seeking independent market access in Missouri.
