Kansas City Royals Partner With Underdog To Launch Sports Betting In Missouri

Royals & Underdog Launch Sports Betting

Missouri is getting ready for a big change — sports betting will officially begin on December 1. And one of the most exciting developments is that the Kansas City Royals have teamed up with Underdog, a gaming company, to bring their sportsbook to Missouri.

But there’s more to the story: approvals, past ties, and new rules all play a part. Let’s dive into what this partnership means for fans and the state.

Partnership with Underdog and Royals

The Royals–Underdog partnership is not final yet. It still needs the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) to give its stamp of approval. If all goes well, the MGC is expected to issue temporary licenses in October.

With that, operators like Underdog can start letting users register and deposit money from November 17, so they are ready by the full launch on December 1.

Underdog already offers daily fantasy sports in Missouri. This new deal would bring online sports betting into the mix under the rules of the new law.

A history together

The Royals and Underdog have already worked together on fan events like “Bark at the Park” and the “Hot Dog Derby.” Now, they’re pushing that connection outward — into Missouri’s regulated sports betting world.

Stacie Stern, Underdog’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Partnerships, said they want to “bring the best sports betting experience possible to Missouri fans.” She also emphasized a more genuine connection to sports fans as part of their approach.

Brooks Sherman, the Royals’ President of Business Operations, called this step a “continuation of an established partnership.” He highlighted that their past promotions were very fan-focused and that this new venture gives Royals fans more fun ways to engage with sports.

About Underdog and its expansion

Underdog was founded in 2020. It started with daily fantasy sports and then moved into online sports betting. Today, the company already runs sportsbooks in North Carolina and holds licenses in Ohio and Colorado.

They also recently announced a partnership with Crypto.com to offer new kinds of sports event contracts.

Missouri legalizes sports betting

In November 2024, Missouri voters said “yes” to legalizing sports betting, after several attempts in the legislature. Under the new law:

  • 13 casinos in Missouri can operate sports betting
  • 6 professional sports teams in Missouri can also run sportsbooks

This law allows both online (mobile/web) and retail (in-person) betting.

Existing sportsbook licenses in Missouri

In the months before launch, Missouri’s Gaming Commission has already handed out a few standalone licenses:

OperatorPartner / VenueType
DraftKingsStandalone (untethered license)Online sportsbook
Circa SportsStandalone (untethered license)Online sportsbook
Bet365St. Louis CardinalsTeam partnership
BetMGMCentury CasinosCasino partnership
CaesarsHarrah’s Kansas City & Horseshoe St. LouisCasino & venue partnership
ESPN BetHollywood Casino / River City CasinoCasino tie-in
FanaticsBoyd GamingGaming company tie-up

The Royals–Underdog agreement adds to this growing landscape of sports betting partnerships across Missouri.

What fans and users need to know

  • The deal with the Royals is pending approval, so nothing is active yet.
  • After approval, registrations and deposits may open on November 17.
  • The official betting market starts December 1.
  • Fans in Kansas City and across Missouri will soon have more ways to enjoy sports via betting, contests, and promotions.

This move — the Royals partnering with Underdog — marks a big shift in how baseball fans in Missouri can interact with sports. With the state’s sports betting law now in motion, licensed partners like Underdog bring the chance for fun, engagement, and legal betting.

While the agreement is not yet final, if approved, it will strengthen the bond between fans and the game by offering fresh ways to play.

As the calendar moves into November and December, we’ll see how well this plan comes together — but right now, the partnership is a bold step forward in Missouri’s new era of sports wagering.

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