Missouri Sports Betting

Missouri Sports Betting Background

A recent push for approval on May 5 led many to believe that sports betting would've been legalized before the 2022 NFL season. That was unfortunately not the case, so MO residents will have to wait until 2023 at least to have access to legalized sports betting in their state.

Missouri lawmakers have been in a back-and-forth discussion about including video lottery terminal's (VLT's) in the HB 2502 and the possibility of redistricting sports betting in the Show-Me State. There was not enough time left in the 2022 legislative session to officially vote for HB 2502. 

Sen. Bernskoetter has voiced his disapproval of Sen. Hoskins' push to add VLT's in MO, stating "gray machines" (illegal VLT's) already exist and that more should not be added to rest stops and gas stations. Adding 5,000 VLT's throughout the state will increase the accessibility of sports betting for residents and visitors, but many lawmakers are still in opposition due to the gaming terminals' ability to feed gambling addictions. 

Missouri's Legalization Timeline

May 2022

• MO sports betting is unlikely to be legalized in 2022. With the 2022 MO legislative session coming to a conclusion, lawmakers will certainly run out of time before making an official vote. 
• Lawmakers appear to be close to approving HB 2502. Hours were spent discussing the details of legalizing HB 2502, which gives MO residents some hope.

April 2022

• Sen. Denny Hoskins' filibuster leads to a failure to agree on HB 2502. Sen. Hoskins explained in great detail that a major barrier to the Senate's approval is the need to include video lottery terminals (VLT's) throughout the state.

May 2021

• The Missouri Senate fails to approve sports betting before the end of the 2021 legislative session. The addition of VLT's to the sports betting bill causes division between lawmakers. 

December 2020

• MO Lawmakers introduce three new sports betting bills. Lawmakers who approve of sports betting prepare for 2021 by creating three new sports betting bills.

Pro Sports Teams

Missouri has five pro teams (baseball, football, and soccer) and only a handful of D1 college teams. The newest addition to MO's pro teams will be the St. Louis City SC, who will begin playing their first MLS season in 2023.

NFL Betting in Missouri

 Kansas City Chiefs

When it comes to spans between playoffs successes, the Chiefs are up there at the top. After winning three championships in the 60s, including Super Bowl IV with Len Dawson, the Chiefs didn't return to the big game until 2019. After a tough playoff outing in 2018, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and many more led the Chiefs to a comeback win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 54. They followed it up with a Super Bowl loss a season later, but after inking Mahomes to a 10-year deal, Kansas City looks set to contend for many years to come. But will they be able to keep the right pieces around him for that long too? KC has a history of star power, with the likes of Joe Montana, Tony Gonzalez, Jamaal Charles and Tyreek Hill to name a few.

Chiefs Odds

A recommended resource list to help you make informed bets on football:

• How to Bet on Football Guide
• Expert NFL Picks
• Keep an eye on betting activity and bet/money distribution with our NFL Public Betting data

MLB Betting in Missouri

 Kansas City Royals

The Royals haven’t found much luck since back-to-back AL Pennants from 2014-15 and winning their second World Series title in 2015. Kansas City hasn’t had a winning record in the six seasons since and therefore haven’t returned to the playoffs since either.

Salvador Perez helped keep them in the spotlight a bit with his league-high tying 48 home runs, but other than that, the Royals have a lot of work to do to get back to where they were just a few short seasons ago.

Royals Odds

St. Louis Cardinals

After a successful 90-win season and a trade for Nolan Arenado, the Cards have taken the right steps as a franchise. Although they were eliminated in the NL Wild Card game in 2021, the Cards are just a few moves away from becoming a contender again.

Cardinals Odds

MLB betting information:

• How to Bet on Baseball Guide

NHL Betting in Missouri

St. Louis Blues

The Blues finished the 2021-22 season 49-22, which was the 3rd-best in their division. They were eliminated by Colorado Avalanche in the second round of the 2022 playoffs. 

St. Louis has had continual regular season success before and after winning their first Stanley Cup in team history in 2019. Their coach, Craig Berube, just finished his third full season at the helm. Coach Berube stepped in during the Stanley Cup 2018-19 season after former coach Mike Yeo was fired due to a poor start to the season. 

Blues odds

For more on NHL betting resources:

• How to Bet on Hockey Guide

MLS Betting in Missouri

Sporting Kansas City FC

Sporting Kansas City has been in the MLS since 1966 and have struggled to compete and win another MLS Cup since their 2013 championship season. Their last two seasons (2020-2021) were successful, as they finished as a top-5 team with 12-3-6 and 17-7-10 records, respectively. 

Peter Vermes has been Sporting KC's head coach since 2009, making him the longest-tenured coach in the league. Sporting Kansas City plays their home matches at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. 

Soccer Odds

Here is a recommended resource to help you bet on the MLS:

• How to Bet on Soccer Guide

College Sports Teams in MO

Missouri Tigers - Football | Basketball

Mizzou's football program has been up and down since winning the Cotton and Citrus Bowls in 2013 and 2014, where they finished 12-2 and 11-3, respectively. The Tigers are a part of the SEC and are coached by Eliah Drinkwitz. Their home games are played at the Faurot Field in Columbia, MO.

Mizzou basketball has also produced mixed results every year, typically losing in the first or second round of the NCAA Tournament when they qualify. Head Coach Cuonzo Martin will be entering his sixth season at the helm, leading the Tigers to qualify for the NCAA Tournament twice and winning at least twenty games once during that span. Coach Martin also only helped the Tigers attain two winning records in his five completed coaching seasons. Tigers home court basketball is played at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia, MO.

Missouri State Bears - Basketball

The Bears are one of the newer MO state college teams, as their inaugural season was in 1952-53. As part of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), the Bears haven't qualified for the NCAA Tournament since the 1998-99 season. The Bears split their record even in their first two seasons under Head Coach Dana Ford and then were able to bounce back and finish 17-7 and 23-11 in the last two seasons, respectively. Since Coach Ford and the Bears have improved in the last two seasons, there's a high chance they could finally make their return to the NCAA Tournament. 

Southwest Missouri State Redhawks - Basketball

Southwest Missouri basketball started in 1991-92, which makes them the youngest D1 basketball team in the Show-Me State. As part of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), the Redhawks have qualified for March Madness once in 1999-2000, losing in the first round. Head Coach Brad Korn has coached two losing seasons so far, but the Redhawks did play far better against teams in their conference during this span. Home games are played at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Other Sporting Events

Although sports betting will not be legalized yet in MO, there are many annual sporting events for residents to enjoy:

Immanuel Athletic Association Golf Tournament

The Immanuel AA Golf Tournament is held annually at the Bogey Hills Golf Club in St. Charles, MO. The 30th annual event will take place on June 13, 2023 where residents will be invited to participate in 18 holes of golf and exciting raffles. 

Big Marc's Annual Backpack Classic

Another popular sporting event that is also held in St. Charles, MO at the Boys & Girls Club. This year marks their 16th event for youth basketball and are recipients of the #1 sports tournament by Sports Illustrated Play. Participating teams are given awards at the end of the tournament. Big Marc's event will be held between June 17-19.

Women on the Move 5k

This event is hosting its 6th event at the English Landing Park in Parksville, MO. Women on the Move 5k will be held between May 20-21 and is sponsored by the Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City Foundation.