Why You’re Seeing Sports Betting Ads in Missouri: What You Need to Know Before It Launches

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Ads from DraftKings are turning heads in Missouri. The campaign claims it’s offering a special deal that’s “now live in Missouri.” At first glance, this can be confusing. Although voters approved sports betting, the Missouri Gaming Commission hasn’t issued any licenses yet. But don’t worry—DraftKings is playing by the rules.

While it looks like a sports betting ad, DraftKings is promoting a fantasy sports game, which is legal and regulated in Missouri. Fantasy sports are a gray area and can operate even when sports betting isn’t yet live. This means folks can engage in fantasy leagues, but they’ll have to wait months for official sports betting operations to kick off.

Missouri Gaming Commissioner Jan Zimmerman emphasized the importance of careful oversight. “We have a dedicated team to ensure everything is handled correctly,” she said. Fantasy sports have existed for a while, and companies like DraftKings find ways to operate in states where sports betting isn’t approved yet.

Interestingly, a comparison shows that DraftKings has offers in several states where sports betting isn’t legal, including Missouri. This is possible because betting on fantasy sports is considered a game of skill, not chance, by the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. Therefore, it’s not classified as gambling.

The Gaming Commission aims to have sports betting available later this year. Until then, sports fans in Missouri can join in on fantasy sports instead. “We are hopeful to launch by mid to late summer,” Zimmerman noted.

During the first half of the 2024 football season, there were over 11 million attempts to bet on sports in Missouri, according to GeoComply. This interest shows the demand for sports betting in the state.

When it launches, there will be a 10% tax on gambling revenue, with the auditor predicting up to $29 million in tax revenue. The tax revenue will first cover the Gaming Commission’s costs and then contribute to the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund and Missouri’s education system.

With excitement building for sports betting, Missouri is already gearing up for a big change. Keep an eye on developments as the Gaming Commission works towards making sports betting a reality.

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