The Kansas City Royals are searching for a new sports wagering partner, a club spokesperson told Spectrum News<\/a>\u00a0on Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n Underdog withdrew its <\/span>application for a Missouri sports betting license just days before the state’s market launch,<\/span> ending a multi-year partnership with the Royals announced in <\/span>September that included market access for sports betting.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Underdog has operated in Missouri for years as a licensed daily fantasy sports provider and was <\/span>among the first companies to apply when the state opened submissions for sportsbook licenses. It <\/span>currently remains a DFS operator in the state. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After filing its application, Underdog pursued several agreements to support its sportsbook rollout. It <\/span>secured a tethered revenue-share partnership with the Royals, designed to provide market access, <\/span>and later signed a separate multi-year marketing agreement with the St. Louis Blues.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Royals previously held a non-gambling partnership with the company. The <\/span>Blues deal granted Underdog rights to use intellectual property, team video assets, and in-arena <\/span>elements for promotional activity inside Missouri.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Underdog underwent a significant marketing campaign ahead of launch, presenting itself as an incoming sportsbook <\/span>operator. The decision to withdraw leaves eight approved mobile platforms set to go live when <\/span>statewide wagering begins Monday.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Both the Royals and Blues are now evaluating their next steps, with the Royals’ tethered license <\/span>slot opening the door for another qualified operator to enter the market.<\/span><\/p>\n Enjoying Covers content?<\/b> Add us as a preferred source on your Google account<\/span> The Royals’ shift comes as other\u00a0operators accelerate their rollout plans in Missouri. DraftKings<\/a> announced <\/span>two\u00a0<\/span>initiatives<\/span><\/a> tied to Monday’s market opening. The company will host a launch celebration at the <\/span>Palladium in St. Louis on Dec. 1.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Three notable state-linked athletes, Tony Gonzalez, Isaac Bruce, and Brett Hull, will place the opening <\/span>wagers as the Missouri sports betting<\/a> market officially goes live. Missouri House speaker Jonathan\u00a0<\/span>Patterson is scheduled to deliver remarks following the event.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n DraftKings also announced a $50,000 donation to the Veterans Community Project, which works to <\/span>end veteran homelessness in Missouri. The contribution<\/span>\u00a0marks one of its first localized initiatives in the state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nKey Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/a><\/p>\nDraftKings builds momentum ahead of Missouri launch\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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