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Sports betting in Missouri is finally moving forward, and one of the biggest names in the game is already on board. ESPN BET has officially submitted its application for a Missouri sports betting license, joining a growing list of operators aiming to go live before the state’s December 1 launch date.
Good to Know
ESPN BET, operated by PENN Entertainment through its high-profile partnership with Disney’s ESPN, filed its paperwork with state regulators just days before the September 12 application deadline. The move locks in ESPN BET as one of at least nine sportsbooks preparing to enter Missouri’s new market.
The race for licenses has brought in big industry names. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and bet365 are all confirmed to be in the mix, ensuring Missouri bettors will have plenty of choice right from day one.
For ESPN BET, the plan doesn’t stop at mobile betting. PENN Entertainment has three casinos in Missouri—Argosy Riverside near Kansas City, along with Hollywood St. Louis and River City in the St. Louis metro. Each is expected to feature retail sportsbooks once regulators give the green light.
Missouri’s legislation allows sportsbooks to begin operating on December 1, making it the only state to roll out legal betting in 2025. All applicants, including ESPN BET, are lining up to take bets on that first day. For in-person wagering, PENN may start with temporary betting windows or kiosks at its casinos while full sportsbooks are built out.
The timing gives ESPN BET and its rivals a clean entry into the Midwest betting scene, where neighboring states like Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa already have established markets.
The ESPN brand carries massive reach, and Missouri regulators will be watching closely as ESPN BET expands. With Disney’s media presence behind it, ESPN BET can leverage national coverage and integrations that other operators can’t match. PENN Entertainment emphasized its Missouri ambitions during a recent earnings call, noting that the state offers untapped potential and a strong fan base across multiple pro and college sports.