Missouri’s Sportsbooks Opening Dec. 1 with Celebrity Events and Exciting Promotions
Missouri is gearing up for the launch of its long-awaited legal sports betting market on December 1. With voters approving sports wagering last year, casinos across the state have been preparing to offer both mobile and in-person betting options to sports enthusiasts.
Casinos Prepare for In-Person Sports Betting
Boyd Gaming’s Ameristar Casino in St. Charles has undergone significant changes, including the installation of a full sportsbook to replace former slot machine spaces. Doug Lang, Senior Vice President and General Manager, shared that creating an entertainment hub in the heart of the casino floor was essential. “It was really important to us to create this entertainment hub right in the middle of our casino,” Lang stated. He also highlighted that planning for the new sportsbook began immediately after sports betting was legalized, ensuring a community-focused experience for guests.
At the Horseshoe Casino in downtown St. Louis, Caesars Digital is ready for the launch. Senior Vice President Dan Shapiro mentioned that the past year has been dedicated to preparations for the launch, expecting many bettors to enjoy the social atmosphere at the physical sportsbooks while also engaging with mobile betting apps.
Launch Day Events and Star Appearances
The grand opening of Missouri’s sportsbooks will feature special events and appearances from prominent local sports figures, adding to the excitement of the first legal sports wagers in the state. Notable personalities such as Trent Green, Tony Gonzalez, and Pat Maroon are scheduled to attend launch-day events.
Caesars Sportsbook will begin operations at midnight with its mobile app, while in-person sportsbooks will open at Harrah’s Kansas City and Horseshoe St. Louis on the morning of December 1. Ceremonial first bets will be placed by Christian Okoye at Harrah’s and Trent Green at Horseshoe, with both traveling to various casinos for a launch-day tour. Caesars is also promoting the “Party Like a Caesar Super Bowl Promotion,” offering a Las Vegas trip for two to the Super Bowl for wagers of $5 or more.
DraftKings will host a star-studded event at The Palladium in St. Louis, featuring Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, former St. Louis Rams player Isaac Bruce, and Blues legend Brett Hull. Additionally, Missouri House Speaker Jonathan Patterson will be in attendance. As part of its launch activities, DraftKings will donate $50,000 to the Veterans Community Project’s Tiny Homes initiative, supporting homeless veterans.
Fanatics will open its brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at Boyd Gaming’s Ameristar Casinos in Kansas City and St. Charles at 4 p.m. CST, featuring celebrity appearances and a three-day FanCash Drop for new users. Meanwhile, FanDuel is offering a Missouri Super Boost promotion and contributing $300,000 to the Guns ‘N Hoses charity, which supports the families of fallen first responders.
Other Sportsbooks and Regional Tax Benefits
Circa Sports will also be active on launch day, hosting an event at a St. Louis Blues game. BetMGM, bet365, and theScore Bet have yet to announce their specific launch-day activities but are expected to join in the state’s sports betting festivities.
One key benefit for Missouri bettors is the tax-free wagering environment. Unlike neighboring Illinois, which imposes a 50-cent tax per bet, Missouri's sportsbooks do not have such a tax, offering a more favorable situation for local sports fans.
With Missouri’s sportsbooks opening, the state becomes the 39th in the U.S. to legalize sports betting and the first to do so since North Carolina’s market launched in March 2024.
Source:
Missouri’s Sportsbooks Open Dec. 1 with Celebrities, Promotions, realmoneyaction.com, November 27, 2025