FanDuel, the leading U.S. online sportsbook by market share, has officially submitted its application for an untethered online sports betting license in Missouri.
The move places the industry titan alongside DraftKings, Bet365, BetMGM, and more platforms in the rapidly intensifying race toward the Show-Me State’s much-anticipated sports betting launch set for Dec. 1, 2025.
FanDuel, which also features different esports titles, has joined DraftKings among the first contenders vying for the highly coveted untethered licenses, with the Missouri Gaming Commission scheduled to unveil the approved operators on Aug. 15, 2025.
The application arrives just days after FanDuel’s parent company, Flutter Entertainment, announced a $1.76 billion deal to acquire Boyd Gaming’s 5% stake in the company, valuing FanDuel at approximately $31 billion. With an estimated 43% hold on the national market, FanDuel’s entrance into Missouri signals a significant development for sports bettors in the state and the wider digital wagering ecosystem.
FanDuel joins competitive Missouri sports betting market
Missouri is set to become the 39th U.S. state to legalize sports betting. Under its approved regulatory framework, the state is authorized to issue up to 19 retail sportsbook licenses and as many as 14 online or mobile betting licenses—two of them being untethered.
Securing an untethered license would allow FanDuel to operate independently, avoiding the need to share revenue or pay fees to a casino or professional sports team in the state. The deadline to apply for these “direct mobile licenses” is July 15, with winners to be announced by the Missouri Gaming Commission on Aug. 15.
Applicants will also have the opportunity to present their case directly to the commission during a public hearing on Aug. 13, just two days before the final decision. Should their bids be unsuccessful, they can still enter the market through partnerships with one of Missouri’s 13 casinos or six professional sports franchises.
Bet365 has already partnered with Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals, and BetMGM recently aligned with Century Casinos, which owns casinos in Caruthersville and Cape Girardeau. DraftKings and Underdog Fantasy have also applied, ensuring that Missouri bettors will have a variety of platforms to choose from once the market goes live.
Esports betting could go mainstream in Missouri with FanDuel’s entry
FanDuel’s entry into Missouri could pave the way for legal esports betting in the state. As a national leader in sports wagering, FanDuel already offers betting on titles like League of Legends, Dota 2, and CS2 in markets where it’s allowed.
If approved, Missouri users may gain access to these esports options alongside traditional sports when the market launches in December. This would align Missouri with other states embracing regulated esports betting, expanding the local market, and reaching new audiences.
Esports wagers would follow the same rules as other bets, including the state’s age requirement and responsible gambling safeguards. Overall, FanDuel’s application signals a key step toward diversifying Missouri’s betting landscape.
