Circa Sports’ Jeff Benson on Missouri Sports Betting Bid: ‘We Have as Good a Shot as Anybody’

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

2 minute read

Circa Sports is a unique brand in the sports betting space, and as such, must be selective in pursuing new markets. The Las Vegas-based sportsbook operates in Nevada, of course, along with Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and Kentucky.

Now, Derek Stevens and his team hope to expand to Missouri, where legal, regulated sports betting opens Dec. 1.

The Show-Me State has just two untethered sports betting licenses available. And Circa Sports is applying for one, taking on behemoths FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook in doing so.

_{(Featured Image Credit: Circa Marketing)}

Missouri Sports Betting

Opportunity Knocks

Last November, Missouri voters narrowly approved Amendment 2, with the measure barely clearing 50% to legalize sports betting in the state. That's created a bundle of partnership licenses, via which sportsbook operators team with one of the state's 13 casinos or six pro sports teams to offer sports betting.

Circa Sports is instead pursuing an untethered license to offer mobile sports betting in Missouri. Circa Director of Sportsbook Operations Jeff Benson said it's all about the fit.

"We're looking for favorable enough remote betting regulations – reasonable market access and any place that isn't gonna hamper operators in terms of taxes," Benson said.

Missouri will have a 10% tax on sports betting revenue, well below the 19% national average. That rate, along with regulations and access – a $500,000 licensing fee – align well with Circa Sports' model.

"Spin all those factors around, and Missouri made a lot of sense for us," Benson said.

However, as noted above, there are only two untethered licenses available. And FanDuel and DraftKings are both vying for one, as well, so Circa has stiff competition.

But Benson isn't lacking for confidence, at a sportsbook known to take all comers and bets of all sizes.

"We feel really good about it. Based on the initial conversations we've had, we feel really positive and that we have as good a shot as anybody," Benson said.

Marketplace Diversity

FanDuel and DraftKings are the elephants in the room of legal, regulated sports betting in America, along with BetMGM and Caesars Sports. But Circa Sports operates on a different model, aiming to deliver better odds to consumers while being very transparent about its betting limits.

Benson said Missouri – and other states, for that matter – would do well to allow operators such as Circa, rather than solely gravitating to the bigger national brands.

"We're committed to serving Missourians in the best manner, giving a competitive product with high limits and best-in-class pricing," Benson said. "It's good for the state to have as many operators as possible. We're hopeful."

Applications for the two untethered licenses were due by July 15. The Missouri Gaming Commission is now reviewing the three applications. Circa, DK and FanDuel will appear before the commission on Aug. 13 to further promote their respective operations, with a decision expected Aug. 15.

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson