Missouri is set to debut legal online sports betting on 1 December 2025, marking the culmination of years of legislative efforts, ballot measures, and regulatory preparation following PASPA’s repeal in 2018. While the launch is moving ahead with a strong field of operators, Underdog, which had been expected to participate on Day One, has withdrawn its application. The Missouri Gaming Commission confirmed the decision, noting that the company is redirecting its focus toward prediction markets rather than entering another regulated sportsbook market at this time.
Underdog’s exit also places its previously announced market-access partnership with the Kansas City Royals on hold. According to regulators, the shift reflects the company’s evaluation of the financial, operational, and compliance demands associated with launching a sportsbook in a competitive environment. With larger operators positioned to dominate early activity, Underdog appears to be concentrating on product lines with fewer regulatory hurdles and greater scalability.
Prediction markets have become central to Underdog’s strategy, supported by its 2025 partnership with Crypto.com’s U.S. derivatives arm. This arrangement allows the company to offer federally compliant event-contract markets across more than 16 states, bypassing many of the state-specific licensing and taxation requirements that apply to sportsbooks. As a result, Missouri users may continue accessing Underdog’s daily fantasy sports and future prediction-market offerings, but not a traditional sportsbook interface.
The withdrawal does not impact Missouri’s overall launch strength. Eight operators—DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, bet365, theScore Bet, Circa Sports, and Fanatics Sportsbook—are set to go live on opening day. Their combined presence positions the state for an active and highly competitive market debut as operators prepare for the first wave of customer acquisition.
