Casino earnings in Missouri increased by 4% compared to the same period last year in June.
In an exciting development for sports fans in Missouri, the state's long-awaited foray into sports betting is scheduled to officially launch on December 1, 2025. This follows the passage of Amendment 2 by voters in November 2024, which legalized sports betting and tasked the Missouri Gaming Commission with finalizing regulations and licensing.
The Missouri Gaming Commission opened license applications on May 15, 2025, and the launch date has been fixed at December 1, 2025. An attempt to accelerate the process through an emergency rule was denied.
Legal sports betting will include retail sportsbooks at casinos, professional sports team districts near stadiums, and statewide online/mobile betting. The betting age is expected to be 21 and over.
One of the expected licensed sportsbooks authorized to operate in Missouri is BetMGM. The company is set to operate as a licensed sportsbook following partnerships with local casino operators, presumably including Century Casino Cape Girardeau. Missouri will allow up to 14 sports betting licenses with multiple operators including BetMGM, Bally Bet, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and others preparing to enter the market.
Meanwhile, in the current casino landscape, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles saw a 1% increase in revenue year-on-year, making it the highest revenue generator in June 2025 with $25.1 million. River City Casino Hotel was the only other casino to bring in over $20 million, with a revenue of $21.5 million.
The total revenue generated by Missouri casinos in June 2025 was $161.4 million. This represents a 5% increase compared to the $154.7 million collected in June 2024. The fiscal year 2024 total revenue for Missouri casinos was $1.89 billion. The Missouri Gaming Commission's fiscal year total revenue is $1.91 billion for the year ending June 2025, although it represents a 9.1% decrease from the revenue collected in May.
Century Casino & Hotel Cape Girardeau recently announced a deal with BetMGM to launch its online sportsbook platform in Missouri when sports betting goes live this year. However, wagering cannot begin until the December 1, 2025 launch date mandated by state law and regulation.
Other casinos' performances in the fiscal year include a 5% revenue decline for Bally's Kansas City, a 7% decline for Argosy Casino & Hotel, a 5% decline for St. Jo Frontier, and a 22% increase for Horseshoe St. Louis, from $11 million to $13.7 million.
June marked the end of the Missouri Gaming Commission's fiscal year, and Century Casino & Hotel Cape Girardeau's revenue was down 1% in June. Harrah's Kansas City's revenue increased by 22%, reaching $15.3 million.
In conclusion, Missouri's sports betting market is gearing up for a grand entry with BetMGM as one of the launch operators. While the excitement is palpable, sports fans will have to wait until December 1, 2025, to place their first legal bets in the state. In the meantime, Missouri's casinos continue to generate significant revenue, with Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles leading the pack in June 2025.
- In addition to the forthcoming sports betting market, casino-games continue to be a significant contributor to Missouri's gaming industry, with Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles earning the highest revenue among casinos in June 2025.
- As Missouri's sports betting market prepares for its debut, casino-personalities and casino-culture are experiencing changes, with Century Casino & Hotel Cape Girardeau partnering with BetMGM to enter the online sportsbook platform in the state.
- As gambling-trends evolve, licensed-sportsbooks like BetMGM are expected to offer casino-games as well, as they prepare to operate in Missouri following the December 1, 2025, launch.
- Responsible-gambling advocates stress the importance of education and resources as Missouri's sports betting market matures, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.
