Royals Announce Circa Sports as an Official Sports Betting Partner

• The Kansas City Royals have named Circa Sports as an official sports betting partner
• Circa Sports is currently a licensed, untethered online sports betting operator in Missouri
• Underdog previously served as a sports betting partner with the MLB franchise

Circa Sports is now an official sports betting partner of the Kansas City Royals, filling a void left by Underdog after the company dropped out of a partnership with the MLB franchise.

Circa Sports, a licensed, untethered Missouri online sports betting operator, announced on Monday the partnership with the state’s American League baseball franchise. The partnership will officially debut on Friday, Jan. 30, at Royals Rally Casino Night at Kauffman Stadium.

“Since launching Circa Sports in Missouri last December, we’ve grown to appreciate the local sports community – and the Kansas City Royals are at the heart of it,” said Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Sports. “This partnership is about creating premium experiences around the game – from the ballpark to the sportsbook – and giving Royals fans access, energy and a level of engagement that feels authentic to how they follow baseball.”

Fan Experiences, Signage Part of Deal

Circa Sports received one of the two available untethered online sports betting licenses this past August, enabling it to operate in Missouri without being tethered to a casino or state sports franchise. The deal with the Kansas City Royals will be more in line with a sponsorship, rather than a sports betting licensing partnership that will require them to provide the team with a portion of their sports betting revenue.

The operator has been live in the state since its launch on Dec. 1.

The first event, Royals Rally Casino Night at Kauffman Stadium, will see Circa Sports gives away 10 prize packages that include a two-night midweek stay at Circa in downtown Las Vegas.

Circa Sports will be integrated into Royals fan experiences, VIP hospitality moments, prominent signage, and future promotions.

“We all know the passion Royals fans have for their team, and this partnership with Circa Sports offers more ways for them to connect with the game they love. From special events at Kauffman Stadium to unique experiences beyond the ballpark, we’re excited to work with Circa to bring new ways for fans to connect with the Royals,” Cullen Maxey, President of Business Operations for the Kansas City Royals, said in a release.

Underdog No Longer Sports Betting Partner

Circa Sports filled the void left behind by Underdog, which pulled its temporary online sports betting license from Missouri in late November.

Underdog withdrew its sports betting license to focus on its prediction market offerings, which it launched in early September after announcing a partnership with Crypto.com.

The partnership enables Underdog customers to trade and purchase sports event contracts across all major sports leagues, including the NFL and college football, the first of its kind between a CFTC-registered exchange and a gaming company.

Underdog announced its official partnership with the Kansas City Royals in late September. The Royals provided the gaming company with access to the Show-Me State’s sports betting market.