- The St. Louis Cardinals announced a multi-year partnership with bet365
- bet365 is the first official mobile sports betting partner of the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Likely signifies an entrance into the Missouri sports betting landscape for bet365
bet365 will be heading to Missouri through a partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The St. Louis Cardinals today announced a multi-year partnership with bet365, which will provide the sports betting operator with access to the yet-to-be-launched Missouri sports betting market.
Missouri sports betting will likely launch in the fall.
Sports Betting Access Through Partnership
According to the partnership, bet365 will have advertising rights on the Cardinals radio broadcasts, Cardinals Insider TV show, cardinals.com, and signage at the ballpark that will be visible on television broadcasts.
“bet365 is proud to announce our partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals, one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball. We are excited to bring a world class mobile sports betting experience to the Show-Me-State,” a bet365 spokesperson said in a press release.
Additionally, bet365 now has a partner that provides the operator with market access when the state opens its sports betting license application process.
Under the state’s sports betting legislation, each professional sports franchise and land-based casino will be eligible for one retail sports betting license and one online sports betting license. Each individual team and casino will also be able to partner with up to one online sports betting operator.
bet365 finds itself partnered with the sports franchise that led the way for the state’s signature collecting process, teaming with other state sports franchises to place a sports betting question on the 2024 general election ballot.
“We are thrilled to welcome bet365 as the club’s official mobile sports betting partner,” said Bill DeWitt III, President of the St. Louis Cardinals. “This partnership adds a new and exciting element to the fan experience which can be activated at Busch Stadium or any place that fans watch and follow Cardinals baseball.”
Underdog Fantasy Expected to be Active in Missouri
bet365 is the second sports betting operator to officially declare its interest in the Show-Me State.
Recently, Underdog Fantasy confirmed to Sports Betting Dime that it will be applying for a Missouri sports betting license as well.
Underdog Fantasy Founder and CEO Jeremy Levine has been very clear over the past year that he expects Underdog to be aggressive in its sports betting expansion, noting that the company will look to launch in any legalizing state.
The company confirmed as much with Sports Betting Dime, as it will apply for a sports betting license when the application period opens. Underdog Fantasy currently offers online sports betting in North Carolina and holds active sports betting licenses in both Colorado and Ohio, but has yet to launch in either state.
The operator did not yet mention any partnerships in the state.
Missouri Sports Betting Launch Delayed
The Missouri Gaming Commission originally estimated the state would launch its sports betting program in the early summer, but after its emergency sports betting rules were rejected by Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, launch plans have been delayed considerably.
In January, Missouri Gaming Commission Chair Jan Zimmerman told Sports Betting Dime that the Show-Me State was hoping to launch sports betting in early summer after the process was moving along faster than anticipated.
However, the emergency rules application was rejected by the Missouri Secretary of State. The rules will have to wait to go into effect (if approved) by Aug. 30, which will delay the licensing process and the potential launch.
Missouri statutorily must launch sports betting by Dec. 1, 2025.
Sports betting has been a hot topic in the United States ever since the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, allowing states to legalize and regulate sports betting. With many states already jumping on board and legalizing sports betting, Missouri could be next in line to join the trend.
One potential partnership that could bring sports betting to Missouri is between bet365, one of the world’s leading online gambling companies, and the St. Louis Cardinals, a Major League Baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals have a large and dedicated fan base in Missouri, making them an attractive partner for a sports betting company looking to enter the market.
If a partnership between bet365 and the St. Louis Cardinals were to come to fruition, it could open up a whole new world of opportunities for sports fans in Missouri. Not only would fans be able to bet on their favorite team’s games, but they could also wager on a wide variety of other sports and events.
In addition to bringing sports betting to Missouri, a partnership between bet365 and the St. Louis Cardinals could also have a positive impact on the state’s economy. Sports betting has proven to be a lucrative industry in states where it is legal, generating millions of dollars in revenue for both the state and the companies involved.
However, it’s important to note that there are still some hurdles to overcome before sports betting can become a reality in Missouri. The state legislature would need to pass a bill legalizing sports betting, and regulations would need to be put in place to ensure that it is conducted in a safe and responsible manner.
Overall, a potential partnership between bet365 and the St. Louis Cardinals could be a game-changer for sports fans in Missouri. It would not only provide them with a new and exciting way to engage with their favorite teams and sports, but it could also have a positive impact on the state’s economy. Only time will tell if this partnership will come to fruition, but it’s certainly an exciting prospect for sports fans in Missouri.
