Missouri Set for December 2025 Sports Betting Launch
Missouri is preparing for a major change as both retail and online sports betting are set to launch on December 1, 2025. This follows a narrow public vote in November 2024, where voters approved the measure by fewer than 10,000 votes out of 2.9 million cast. The new law allows for statewide online betting and gives professional sports teams the right to establish retail sportsbooks near their stadiums. Six casino operators will also be able to run retail sportsbooks and offer online casinos. In addition, two licenses will be available for online-only operators not partnered with a casino or team.
The Missouri Gaming Commission will regulate the market, and only those physically located in the state and over age 21 can place bets. The law sets a 10% wagering tax on revenues, with funds going to education after covering regulatory expenses and compulsive gambling prevention. The application and approval process for licenses will begin in August and September 2025, with the first licenses awarded on August 15. This means sports betting will not be available statewide for most of the football season.
Major brands like DraftKings MO, FanDuel MO, Caesars Sportsbook MO, BetMGM MO, and ESPN BET MO are expected to enter the market. The St. Louis Cardinals have already partnered with bet365, and BetMGM Missouri is working with Century Casino & Hotel Cape Girardeau. Until the official launch, only daily fantasy platforms such as DraftKings Fantasy, FanDuel Fantasy, PrizePicks, and Underdog Fantasy are legal in the state.
Texas Moves Forward with Sports Betting Amendment
In Texas, the push for legal sports betting continues with the filing of the Sports Betting Amendment Bill, HJR 134, by State Representative Sam Harless on February 12, 2025. This bill marks a significant step in the ongoing effort to legalize sports betting in the state. Historically, Texas has faced many obstacles and bureaucratic challenges that have kept it from joining other states in legalizing sports betting. However, renewed momentum and fresh proposals are now rallying more support for legalization.
HJR 134 could put the final decision on legal sports betting directly into the hands of Texas voters later in 2025. The bill focuses mainly on retail (in-person) sports betting, removing earlier provisions for online sportsbooks. There are no specific details yet regarding tax allocation from gaming revenue or the inclusion of online sports betting, which remain points of contention. Licensing eligibility would extend to professional sports teams, PGA Tour events, and Class I racetracks existing before January 2025. Licensed operators may partner with management service providers.
Supporters argue that legalizing sports betting would help recapture millions of dollars lost to neighboring states and offshore sites. Polls show that a majority of Texans favor legalization, especially if tax revenues benefit public services. Governor Greg Abbott has expressed openness toward online sports betting, referencing successful revenue collection models in states like New York and Michigan. However, key political hurdles remain, with Senate leader Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick opposed without substantial Republican backing.
Even if approved by voters in November 2025, actual implementation could be delayed until at least 2027 due to the legislature’s biennial schedule. Major unresolved issues include the lack of clarity around tax allocation and specifics about licensing procedures. Despite these challenges, there is cautious optimism that Texas may eventually join neighboring states like Louisiana and Maryland in allowing legal sports wagering.
Minnesota’s Sports Betting Efforts Stall Again
Efforts to legalize sports betting in Minnesota have stalled once more. On February 13, 2025, the Senate Committee on Government and Local Affairs held a hearing for Bill SB 757, which aimed to legalize sports betting in the state. The bill ended in a 6–6 deadlock vote, marking the fifth consecutive legislative session where efforts have failed. Senator Matt Klein, the main proponent, proposed tying 11 sports betting licenses to tribal partners and allocating 45% of tax revenue from sportsbooks to charitable causes, with an additional 15% for horse racing tracks.
Despite these provisions, the proposal faced strong resistance due to concerns over gambling addiction, market entry affordability, and especially the inclusion of college sports betting. Critics argued that licensing fees and revenue splits were too complex and favored large sportsbook brands over smaller operators. Senator Erin Maye Quade opposed legalizing college sports betting and described in-play betting as “the most predatory” form of gambling. She advocated for removing both from any legalization framework.
Industry advocates warned that excessive restrictions would drive bettors toward illegal offshore sportsbooks, resulting in lost state revenue and lower regulated handle. Senator Steve Drazkowski challenged the proposed licensing fees as potential barriers to entry for smaller operators but acknowledged that other states charge even higher fees. A second bill introduced by Senator John Marty pushed for stricter consumer protections, such as banning all gambling advertising at events with more than 30% minors present and prohibiting such ads in public buildings.
The ongoing deadlock leaves Minnesota residents without regulated sports betting options while neighboring states and one Canadian province have already legalized it. This raises concerns about Minnesotans turning to illegal markets or traveling out-of-state to place bets, costing Minnesota valuable tax revenue and creating additional regulatory challenges.
National Trends and Outlook for Online Sports Betting
Across the United States, the push for online sports betting legalization continues to gain momentum. States like Missouri are building regulatory frameworks from scratch but may follow models from neighboring states where most have already legalized sports betting. Regulatory frameworks often involve hundreds of rules covering licensing through compliance, and experienced regulators from established markets may assist new states in the process.
The lag time between legalization and launch varies by state, with Missouri’s case taking about nine months from voter approval to the go-live date. Tax revenue from sports betting is often earmarked for public services such as education, after covering regulatory costs and funding for compulsive gambling prevention. The mix of casino-tethered and untethered licenses, as well as special provisions for professional sports teams, reflects the evolving landscape of sports betting regulation in the country.
While some states like Texas and Minnesota face political and regulatory hurdles, others are moving forward with clear plans and timelines. The overall trend points toward more states embracing legal sports betting, both online and in-person, as they seek to capture lost revenue and provide safe, regulated options for residents. As more states join the movement, the landscape of sports betting in the USA will continue to change, offering new opportunities and challenges for regulators, operators, and bettors alike.