- Missouri’s biggest sports betting donor will have to wait its turn after regulators chose Circa and DraftKings for the state’s first mobile untethered licenses.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – FanDuel spent millions helping Missouri bring legal wagering to the ballot. But when the state’s Gaming Commission awarded its first two untethered mobile licenses on Friday, FanDuel was left on the outside looking in.
Instead, the licenses went to DraftKings and Circa Sports. The decision was a surprise to many in the industry, as untethered licenses allow legal online sportsbooks to bypass partnerships with casinos or professional sports teams.
Circa’s victory over FanDuel came despite openly admitting it could not match the marketing budgets, customer bases, or projected revenues of the two national leaders. The Missouri Gaming Commission still rewarded Circa, which was even more striking given FanDuel’s political investment. Alongside DraftKings, FanDuel poured tens of millions into the 2024 ballot campaign that made sports betting legal in Missouri.
Will FanDuel Sportsbook Be In Missouri?
While missing an untethered license doesn’t mean FanDuel misses out on entering the Missouri sports betting market, but they now must apply for a tethered license before the Sept. 12 deadline. With multiple partnership opportunities (Missouri casinos or professional sports teams), they’re virtually ensured to earn a license.
