State agency selects Circa Sports, DraftKings for sports betting mobile licenses 

The Missouri Gaming Commission has chosen Circa Sports and DraftKings for the two available direct mobile sports wagering licenses as part of the sports betting program set to launch statewide Dec. 1.  

The state agency announced its selection of Circa Hospitality Group I LLC and DK Crown Holdings Inc. for the direct mobile licenses in an Aug. 15 news release. The decision comes after representatives of the two companies as well as Betfair Interactive US LLC, which does business as FanDuel, presented their cases before the commission on Aug. 13. 

“The commission considered many factors before the two applicants were chosen,” said Jan Zimmerman, Missouri Gaming Commission chair, in the release. “We commend Betfair Interactive US LLC for its efforts. It was a difficult decision, but the commission is only able to grant two licenses.”  

Following the decision, additional investigatory measures are planned for Circa Sports and DraftKings, according to the release. Zimmerman didn’t respond to a request seeking additional information before deadline.  

Applicants for other retail and mobile licenses must submit their application by Sept. 12, according to gaming commission officials. 

The six parent companies operating casinos in the state and the six major league sports franchises are among those who can offer sports gambling in Missouri, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. However, applicants seeking the other retail and mobile licenses must partner with an existing in-state casino or sports team for consideration. The two direct mobile licenses awarded to Circa Sports and DraftKings allow the companies to offer sports wagering in the state without partnering with another entity. 

Gaming commission officials say the department is allotted 13 new hires for the sports wagering program, which will boost its staff size to 90 employees, according to past reporting. 

The Dec. 1 launch date is the deadline for the program to go live set by Amendment 2, which voters narrowly approved in November 2024. The state amendment allows people in Missouri over 21 years old to place bets on professional and collegiate sports games in casinos and online apps. The issue’s passage made Missouri the 39th state, along with the District of Columbia, to allow some form of sports betting.