Key Takeaways:

• Circa Sports secures untethered license in Missouri over FanDuel
• FanDuel forms alliance with CME Group for prediction markets
• DraftKings and FanDuel expected to dominate Missouri sports betting revenue

The Missouri Gaming Commission's recent decision to grant an untethered sports betting license to Las Vegas-based Circa Sports over industry leader FanDuel has sent ripples through the gambling world. This surprising move comes as Missouri prepares for its December 1 launch of legal sports wagering.

Despite this setback, FanDuel is expected to secure a license through its partnership with a Missouri soccer team. The company remains poised to be a top revenue generator in the state, alongside DraftKings, which received the second available untethered license.

Steve Bittenbender, a seasoned gaming reporter, predicts that FanDuel and DraftKings will maintain their usual dominance in Missouri's competitive online sports betting market. 'FanDuel and DraftKings are going to be number one and number two in Missouri,' Bittenbender stated, adding that determining which company will take the top spot is 'a coin flip.'

In a separate development, FanDuel has announced a strategic alliance with the CME Group, a derivatives exchange. This 'eye-opening' partnership could pave the way for sports betting operators to enter the prediction market space, allowing wagers on topics beyond traditional sports, such as political elections and commodity prices.

Bittenbender suggests this move by FanDuel could trigger a domino effect in the industry. 'Once FanDuel gets involved, then you'll see DraftKings and then perhaps a few other of the sports betting operators,' he explained.

These developments highlight the evolving landscape of online gambling and sports betting in the United States. As states like Missouri open their markets, established players are adapting their strategies and exploring new avenues for growth. The industry continues to spin like a roulette wheel, with companies placing their bets on various strategies to secure their positions in this highly competitive field.