FanDuel has officially submitted its application in Missouri for sports betting, as the state prepares to launch betting on sports this December. The Missouri Gaming Commission has received a total of three applications for sports betting in the state and will award two untethered sports betting licenses.

FanDuel is officially setting its sights on the Missouri sports betting market. The leading US sportsbook operator has submitted an application for one of the state's coveted untethered sports betting licenses, the Missouri Gaming Commission confirmed.

This move positions FanDuel as one of the first major players seeking to secure a direct pathway into the Show-Me State's booming sports betting landscape, which is slated to go live on December 1, 2025.

Untethered licenses: the golden ticket to Missouri's sports betting market

The untethered licenses offered by the Missouri Gaming Commission are among the most sought-after in the upcoming sports betting rollout. Unlike tethered licenses, which require operators to partner with an in-state casino or professional sports team, untethered license holders are granted independent access to the market as well as retain 100% of their generated revenues.

Under Missouri's newly approved regulations, the state will grant only two of these untethered online licenses. FanDuel and rival DraftKings are the only two operators to have officially applied for them so far. The Gaming Commission will accept applications for these licenses until July 15, 2025, and is scheduled to announce the two selected operators on August 15.

Three applications and counting

As of now, Missouri regulators have received three total sports betting license applications. In addition to FanDuel and DraftKings, Underdog has applied for both online and retail licenses, although it has not yet revealed a partner for market access - a requirement for tethered operations.

In total, the Missouri Gaming Commission is authorized to issue up to 19 retail sportsbook licenses and as many as 14 online licenses. This includes the two untethered licenses and 12 tethered online licenses tied to Missouri casinos or sports franchises.

Regulatory roadmap and key dates

The Missouri Gaming Commission has laid out a detailed timeline to bring the state's sports betting market to life. Here are the most important upcoming dates:

  • 15th of July: Deadline to submit applications for untethered online licenses.
  • 13th of August: Applicants for untethered licenses may be asked to appear before the Missouri Gaming Commission for review.
  • 15th of August: The commission announces the two approved untethered online license holders.
  • 12th of September: All tethered online and retail applications must be finalized.
  • 1st of December: The official launch date for legal sports betting in Missouri.

FanDuel's strategic position

FanDuel's decision to pursue an untethered license demonstrates the operator's ambition to secure a dominant foothold in Missouri without the need for revenue-sharing partnerships. With its extensive customer base and its leading app, FanDuel is likely to be a strong contender for one of the two untethered licenses.

The brand has already established itself as a top-tier sportsbook across numerous US markets, often competing neck-and-neck with DraftKings for market share. Missouri could soon become the next battleground for these two giants of online betting.

A growing market with high stakes

Missouri's legalization of sports betting comes after years of legislative debates. Now that the regulatory framework is in place, the focus shifts to execution and operator competition. With big names like DraftKings and FanDuel vying for early entry, the market promises to be competitive from day one.

The inclusion of untethered licenses marks a notable difference from more restrictive models seen in other states, giving select operators the chance to thrive independently and retain all earnings. That dynamic could reshape how sportsbooks strategize their state-by-state expansion in the future.