Missouri misses out on Super Bowl betting boom as neighboring states cash in
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Despite voters legalizing sports betting in November, Missouri will miss out on gambling revenue generated by the Super Bowl one last time.
A spokesperson from the Missouri Gaming Commission in Mid-Missouri says it’s currently still working through its rule-making process but is on track to have sports betting up and running by mid-summer. However, no official launch date has been set.
When the Super Bowl kicks off on Sunday, it will be 98 days since Amendment 2 passed in Missouri. However, it only took Missouri’s neighbor Kansas roughly 75 days from the day it was signed into law in July 2022. Because of the delay, Missouri has been unable to capitalize on the Kansas City Chiefs' quest for a three-peat in New Orleans.
The Super Bowl has set record betting numbers during the past several years. In 2023, the American Gaming Association projected an estimated $16 billion in bets were placed on the game, nationally. That skyrocketed to $23 billion in 2024 and could climb for this year's game.
“We're expecting a big handle here. I can't tell you exactly if this will be a record-breaker. I always expect a record-breaker,” DraftKings Director of Sports Operation Johnny Avello told ABC 17 News. “In our, six-and-a-half years of existence, every Super Bowl has been better than the next.”
Avello, a seasoned oddsmaker with more than a decade of experience, notes that when a state's home team is playing in a major game, bets on that team often surge.
“Usually, if a team resides in the state and they're playing in a game, whether it's a Super Bowl or just a game during the week or regular season, they tend to take more money," Avello said. "The home team tends to take more money in some cases, in some states, it could be as much as 90% of the action.”
One of the reasons that the Super Bowl is such a heavily wagered event is because of the number of prop bets. This can include anything from the length of the national anthem to the color of the Gatorade dumped on the winning coach. However, player props, which are already popular during the regular season also see a boost. Avello said in this year's matchup between the Eagles and Chiefs, several prop bets have stood out.
“A successful two-point conversion, over 90% of the bets are on that. Over time, yes. Over 90% of the bets are on that. A doink, that’s where the football hits the upright, they’re betting on that,” Avello said. “Other things they’re betting on under [Patrick] Mahomes 252 passing yards, [Jaylen] Hurts longest pass completion over 32.5 yards, there some of the most singled out props taking the heaviest action so far.”
Unfortunately for Missouri residents, if they want to wager on any of these props they are going to have to go across state lines.
During last year's Super Bowl between the Chiefs and 49ers, the online security firm GeoComply says it blocked 431,000 attempts by mobile devices in Missouri from trying to access legal sportsbooks in other states. Of those attempts, 48% targeted betting sites in Kansas, while 37% tried accessing sportsbooks in Illinois.
The Chiefs being in a dynasty run and Missourians crossing the border to place bets helped Kansas cash in. During the Chiefs 2023 playoff run, Kansas collected $600,000 in sports betting revenue. During the 2024 playoffs, that number jumped to $1.7 million.
While Missouri residents might have helped with that number, the Show-Me State may not be able to draw as much revenue, given the way its sports betting amendment is written.
Under Amendment 2, at least $5 million in licensing fees and taxes must be allocated toward problem gambling programs.
According to the ballot language under Amendment 2, 10% of wagering tax revenue received would go towards public schools across the state. The national average for states that have already legalized sports betting is a 19% tax. Missouri also must allocate at least $5 million in licensing fees and taxes to problem gambling programs in the state.
