Sports bettors in Missouri are about six months away from legally placing bets in their state, but they may have already gained an advantage.
Illinois lawmakers recently approved a tax increase on sports betting, potentially drawing more attention from online sportsbooks to the Show-Me State as the December 1, 2025, launch date approaches.
This focus could lead to better promotions and possibly improved odds on Missouri sports betting apps compared to their counterparts in the east.
New Illinois Sports Betting Taxes in State Budget
The Illinois state legislature passed the latest state budget on Saturday, May 31, which includes a tax hike on sports betting. This tax affects every wager made in Illinois, with a $0.25 charge on the first 20 million online sports bets placed per year, increasing to $0.50 per bet after 20 million. This fee is in addition to a progressive Illinois sports betting tax increase implemented a year earlier.
Illinois remains the second largest market in the country, so top online sportsbooks won’t leave, but they will seek ways to counter these increased taxes.
How Illinois Tax Law Could Benefit Missouri Sports Betting
There are a couple of ways to offset revenue losses, both of which benefit future Missouri bettors and the state’s tax revenue.
One strategy is to focus on customer acquisition in other states. If Illinois bettors are less profitable, sportsbooks may offer better promotions elsewhere, including Missouri. Different sports betting promos in various states are not new, as operators value bettors from certain states more. With Missouri set to launch soon, focus will likely intensify there, especially given the new challenges in Illinois.
This could mean more appealing bonuses for Missouri bettors from December 1 onwards, through offers like a significant First Bet or a straightforward Bet & Get bonus. Missouri already was a prime acquisition target, and now it’s even more attractive.
Another possibility is raising the vig for Illinois bettors to compensate for taxes, changing typical odds from -110 to perhaps -115 or worse. While it’s rare for odds to vary by state, the per-bet tax is also unusual, so significant measures could be taken.
If this happens, the 361-mile Illinois-Missouri border could see bettors crossing for better odds, benefiting Missouri’s tax revenue and possibly reducing the projected $36 million Illinois aims to collect from this tax.
Missouri Sports Betting to Launch Dec. 1, 2025
Missouri’s delayed sports betting launch on December 1 will allow these dynamics to unfold before any bets are placed there. Operators can assess the tax’s impact, Illinois bettors can observe their response, and then consider heading to Missouri for more favorable odds.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com