After years of stalled negotiations and political gamesmanship, Missouri has signed off on the legalization of online sports betting. The new law will permit fans to bet later this year, just in time for the football season to begin. Here is a sneak peek at how the market will be set up, what it will do for the fans and how it will change the game-day experience in the Show-Me State.

Missouri sports enthusiasts have waited patiently for years as their neighbors in Kansas, Illinois and Iowa were able to legalize sports betting while they watched from the sidelines. People crossed borders just to get a bet down on their favorite team and frankly, it was a nuisance. But that frustration is about to be over.

Earlier in the year, lawmakers finally bullied a bill to the finish line to legalize online sports wagering. It wasn't easy, as it took several rounds of heated debate, but the deal has been signed, sealed and delivered, with the launch to roll out later this year. When it goes live, Missourians can unlock their favorite sportsbook app and bet on the Chiefs, Mizzou football or any other team without ever having to leave the state.

This move is not just a win for fans who are keen to get their hands on the action. It's also a high-risk gamble for the state economy, casinos and even sports teams themselves.

How Missouri ended up here

The journey to legalization has not been easy. Bills to legalize sports betting have been introduced in Jefferson City for years but never once seemed to reach the finish line. The hold-ups were usually over tax rates and whether video lottery terminals (VLTs), those so-maligned gambling machines at truck stops and gas stations, would be part of the equation.

This year, lawmakers decided to be direct and focus on the sports betting itself. The agreement paved the way for both on-casino gambling at casinos and mobile gaming apps, where the actual money happens. In other states, mobile sites account for 80–90% of the revenue on sports betting, and Missouri cannot be an exception.

What the market will look like

So, what can fans expect once the apps launch? Missouri’s law gives casinos and sports teams the ability to partner with online sportsbooks, meaning fans will see the usual big names enter the market, such as DraftKings. These big companies will compete hard for new customers with sign-up bonuses, promos and special offers, especially around football season.

For everyday users, that means more options and a lot of value right out of the gate. You’ll be able to browse different platforms, compare odds, take advantage of free bets and pick the sportsbook that fits your style best.

And indeed, DraftKings is legal in Missouri upon market opening. That's big news because DraftKings is not simply a sportsbook. It's become a sports bettor's one-stop shop with expert projection, lines and picks for sports like football, UFC, basketball and more. They even provide handy things like promo codes, futures odds trackers and betting guides, which make it easier for amateurs to get started learning how to wager.

Football is the story

Let's face it: Yes, sure, there'll be betting available for dozens of sports, but football's going to be the star of the show in Missouri. With the Chiefs' continued success in the NFL and Mizzou football's loyal fan base in the SEC, already diehards live and breathe the sport. And now they'll be able to bet on the game without ever having to leave Missouri.

Picture this: It's Sunday afternoon, the Chiefs are playing a huge divisional game against the Raiders and you're watching with your buddies. Instead of talking about what you'd bet if you were still in Kansas, you can now just grab your phone and bet money on the spread, over/under or even player prop bets like how many touchdown passes Patrick Mahomes is going to throw.

It's not just the NFL, however. Saturdays in college football will be changed, as well. Mizzou tailgating might be a different experience if individuals realize they can pull out their phones and bet before entering the stadium. The added degree of competition and engagement will only enhance excitement for the game.

What about responsible gambling?

With all the hype, there's also an obligation to mitigate the risks. Sports betting is exciting, but it can become a problem if people aren't heedful. Missouri legislation also has provisions for responsible gaming, such as programs for excluding oneself from gambling and provision for problem gamblers. The sportsbooks themselves will also encourage tools for responsible gambling, allowing users to set limits on deposits, bets and time spent on the app.

The test will be making sure that fans see sports betting as an entertainment option and not a way of becoming instant wealthy. If handled correctly, it can enhance the game-day atmosphere without venturing into unhealthy territory.

Economic impact

Missouri’s decision to legalize sports betting is also about the money. The state will collect taxes on sportsbook revenue, and while projections vary, the estimates are in the tens of millions annually. Those funds are expected to go toward education and other public services, giving lawmakers another reason to finally make the move.

Casinos would also stand to gain. Even though mobile betting is likely to be the focus, having sportsbooks located on site at casinos can draw people, especially around high-profile sporting events. It offers the opportunity for viewers to enjoy a more traditional betting experience along with the benefit of mobile applications.

The trickle-down effect on Missouri football

So, how do things relate back to Missouri football, then? Not just the betting itself, but the legalization could also lead to greater fan participation and potentially even alter the sports landscape in Missouri.

For the Chiefs, it's even more exciting surrounding their games. Every drive, touchdown and interception will count a little more for fans with skin in the game. The crowd inside Arrowhead Stadium, already one of the loudest in the league, could become even louder when thousands of fans have money riding on it.

At the university level, Mizzou would also be helped. Interest in betting usually translates into more TV ratings and national visibility, which is a recruiting and publicity advantage. People who wouldn't have necessarily cared to watch a Mizzou-Kentucky game in the past might now have an incentive to tune in if they wagered a small amount on the game.

What's lying ahead

While the formal opening date remains unannounced, it's expected that the sportsbooks will be operating in Missouri by the close of the year. That is to say, before the NFL regular season is in full bloom and college football is already in top gear, supporters should be in a position to bet legally on their phones.

The rollout will likely come with a wave of promotions as sportsbooks try to lock in new customers. If you’re a fan who wants to get involved, it might be worth waiting for those offers to drop, as the competition between operators usually benefits the bettor.

Final whistle

Missouri is finally catching up to the rest of the nation in the sports betting craze, and for football supporters, it couldn't have arrived at a more opportune moment. The Chiefs are in the midst of a franchise-defining streak, Mizzou is fighting in the SEC and supporters have longed to have the ability to join in without crossing state lines.

With DraftKings on the horizon, fans will have more options than ever to join in on their favorite teams. Betting can be fun to play on Sundays and Saturdays if done responsibly because an extra level of excitement can make every touchdown, field goal, and turnover worth so much more.

So buckle up, Missouri. The next time Mahomes drops a deep bomb or Mizzou is setting up for a winning field goal, you won't be able to just chant anymore, you might have a little something riding on it.

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