Missourians are counting down the days to Dec. 1, and it’s not just because they’re looking forward to putting up Christmas trees and playing Mariah Carey on repeat. Missouri online sports betting will be legal on Dec. 1, just in time for the end of the NFL regular season and the College Football Playoff.

Nine mobile sportsbooks are coming to the Show Me State, and that number could reach as high as 14 after sports betting goes live. Some sportsbooks are offering exclusive offers to Missourians who sign up now rather than waiting until Dec. 1. Below, I break down everything you need to know about Missouri sports betting.

Which Missouri sportsbooks will be taking bets at midnight on December 1?

Missouri residents can take their action to nine sportsbooks when wagering markets open on Dec. 1. I recommend joining a few sites and making minimum deposits with each operator. That way, you can get the welcome offers and see which sportsbooks you prefer.

If you go car shopping, do you buy the first car you test drive? Probably not. The same applies to MO sports betting. Here are the sportsbooks that will soon call Missouri home:

• BetMGM
• DraftKings
• Fanatics Sportsbook
• FanDuel
• bet365
• Caesars Sportsbook
• Circa Sports
• theScore Bet
• Underdog

Missouri sports betting early sign-up promos

Some sportsbooks are offering special promos for customers who open an account before Dec. 1. These deals are likely to be better than what will be available on Dec. 1, so it’s worth your time to check them out.

For now, Missouri bettors can create sportsbook accounts and make deposits. That’s all you need to do to claim the MO sports betting early sign-up promos. If you sign up early, you still have to wait until Dec. 1 to place bets. Here’s what’s available to those who want to get a head start:

NOTE: The offers listed below must be claimed before midnight CT on Dec. 1. Sign up today to ensure you don’t forget to register before the deadline.

FanDuel Missouri promo: Claim $400 in bonuses

No FanDuel Missouri promo code is required to claim my favorite MO early sign-up offer. New customers just need to open an account and deposit $5. When the calendar flips to December, place a $5 bet and you’ll automatically receive $300 in bonuses.

FanDuel Missouri also sends a $100 bonus if you sign up early. No action is required to receive the $100 bonus, except to register a new account before Dec. 1.

DraftKings Missouri promo: Get $300 in bonus bets

A DraftKings Missouri promo code isn’t necessary to get an outstanding welcome offer from one of the best sportsbooks in the industry. Create an account today and deposit $5. Then, bet $5 on Dec. 1 to instantly receive $300 in bonuses.

The DraftKings Missouri promo is nearly identical to the FanDuel offer. The difference is that FanDuel provides an extra $100 bonus just for signing up. However, DraftKings is a top option for bettors across the U.S., so don’t bypass the DraftKings MO promo because it’s less valuable.

BetMGM Missouri bonus code MOLOCAL: Up to $1,600 in bonuses

High rollers will appreciate the perks of the BetMGM Missouri bonus code MOLOCAL. It starts with a $100 bonus if you deposit $10 before Dec. 1.

When Missouri sports betting goes live, submit a wager on any market that catches your eye. If the wager loses, BetMGM returns your stake in bonuses. The most you can receive from this portion of the offer is $1,500 in bonuses.

For instance, let’s say you sign up early and bet $100 on Dec. 1. If the bet loses, BetMGM sends a $100 bonus so you can try again.

Fanatics Sportsbook Missouri promo: Up to $3,000 in FanCash

You don’t need a Fanatics Sportsbook Missouri promo code to redeem the most valuable offer of the bunch. In total, Missouri bettors could earn up to $3,000 in FanCash. This offer is more complicated than the rest, so I’ll break it down step-by-step:

• Click the Fanatics link above to download the Fanatics app (Fanatics Sportsbook is only available through the app).
• Register a new account.
• Deposit $50 or more before Dec. 1.
• Open the Fanatics app on Dec. 1 to find 15 no-sweat bets in your account.
• When a no-sweat bet is applied to a wager, the stake is returned in FanCash if you lose.
• Each no-sweat bet returns up to $200 in FanCash.

FanCash is more valuable than the bonuses offered by FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM. FanCash can be redeemed for bonuses or profit boosts. It can also be used as a credit if you buy gear at Fanatics.com.

How to bet on sports in Missouri on Dec. 1

It doesn’t take long to learn the ins and outs of sports betting. However, it may be overwhelming for first-timers. Here are some important terms to know before diving in:

• Bonuses: Also known as bonus bets, bonuses are a credit given out by sportsbooks. They can only be used to place wagers and are not withdrawable for cash. If you bet with a bonus and win, you get a cash payout. If you bet with a bonus and lose, you don’t lose real money. Bonuses are a great tool for new sports bettors trying to learn the ropes.
• Moneyline: This is the most straightforward bet type at every sportsbook. It requires you to pick which team wins a game. If your team comes out on top, you win the bet. Easy as that.
• Spread: This bet type evens the playing field between two teams. For example, the spread in Colts vs. Chiefs is Chiefs -3. If you bet Kansas City to cover the spread, it must win the game by four points or more. If K.C. loses or wins by two points or less, you lose the bet. If the Chiefs win by exactly three points, bets are voided and customers get the stake back.
• Over/under: Also known as the total, the over/under asks you to predict the number of points scored in a game. In Colts vs. Chiefs, the total is 50.5. If you take the over, at least 51 points must be scored for your bet to win. If you bet on the under, you need 50 points or fewer to win the bet.
• Player props: The bet types listed above involve the performance of each team in a game, while player props relate to the statistical performance of specific players. You could bet Patrick Mahomes to throw over or under 1.5 touchdowns, or Travis Kelce to catch more or less than five passes.

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Cole County judge heard arguments Monday in the first day of a two-day bench trial over a lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of general revenue funds being used for scholarships to help pay for private K-12 education.

The lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of the Missouri chapter of the National Education Association (NEA), was filed in response to appropriations made in House Bill 12. The spending measure included $51 million allocated to the MO Scholars program.

“Missouri NEA firmly believes that this is an unconstitutional action on behalf of the state and the (Missouri) Treasurer’s Office,” Missouri NEA President Rebeka McIntosh said outside of the courthouse. “Public money belongs in public schools, and this money could be used to fund up to a thousand public school teachers for smaller classes and one-on-one instruction.”

CLICK HERE TO READ ARGUMENTS FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI

CLICK HERE TO READ ARGUMENTS FROM MISSOURI NEA

Among remedies being sought, the plaintiffs are asking the court to halt any additional funds from being transferred from general revenue to the MO Scholars program.

The bench trial resumes Tuesday, and it’s not clear when Judge Brian Stumpe will make a ruling on the matter. Most judgements in Missouri aren’t bound by a set timeline for when decisions have to be made.