KC sportsbooks open as betting begins in Missouri
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Betting machines display wagers at Argosy Casino. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
Sports betting begins Monday in Missouri, and gambling apps and casinos are ready to cash in on Kansas City's love of the game.
Why it matters: The relaxed rules open the floodgates to big money, with fans having a financial stake in every outcome and gambling companies standing to make billions.
The big picture: Missourians can now place mobile bets anywhere within the state, and casinos can host physical sportsbooks, where residents can go to watch the game and place wagers.
Zoom in: Argosy Casino in Riverside is one such place, sporting walls of TVs and more than 100 seats. Ticket writers are on staff to field questions, while bar food and drinks can be ordered to your seat.
- Meanwhile, a Fanatics sportsbook debuts today at Ameristar Casino, with former Royals player Alex Gordon placing the first bet. Harrah's will also open a Caesars sportsbook.
- And mobile betting platforms — including DraftKings, FanDuel and Circa Sports — will go live.
What they're saying: "There is a core group of folks who are hardcore sports betters. We want those people to come in and experience what we have," Argosy's Vice President of Marketing Tyrone Myrick tells Axios.
- Nowhere else "can you get a couple hundred people that are like you in terms of they love sports, they love sports betting, in the same room," he adds.
Zoom out: Sports betting has proliferated in the U.S. since the Supreme Court in 2018 sent regulation back to the states — leading to massive investments and betting scandals that threaten game integrity.
- And betting is up year over year as more states legalize it.
Flashback: Missourians voted on sports betting in 2024, eking out a "yes" by fewer than 3,000 votes (0.1%). Opponents did not request a recount.
- Proponents said the bill would raise taxes for schools and gambling addiction services, but opponents said state incentives and questionable legal language left them doubtful, KOMU reported.
Axios emailed Missouri Sen. Tony Leutkemeyer (R-Parkville), who pushed for the bill for years, but did not receive a response.
Between the lines: While the sports betting amendment's results have gone uncontested, the amendment vote to enshrine abortion rights in Missouri, which passed by a wider margin, has been challenged by lawmakers and will be back on the ballot in 2026.
- State Republicans are also currently battling an effort to put their redistricted congressional map to a public vote.
- And another effort to change the ballot initiative process to make it harder for voters to pass laws is also underway.
What's next: Local betting will kick off in earnest this Sunday, with a noon basketball game at the T-Mobile Center between Mizzou and KU, and a 7:20pm game at Arrowhead against the Texans.
The intrigue: Chiefs president Mark Donovan told KSHB last year that a renovated Arrowhead Stadium could be retrofitted with its own physical sportsbook.