DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG) and Circa Sports are early leaders in the Missouri sports betting race after the Missouri Gaming Commission selected them as  the winners of the state's two highly coveted untethered online sports betting licenses.

The Missouri Gaming Commission selected DraftKings and Circa Sports as the winners of the state's two coveted untethered online sports betting licenses.

The Missouri Gaming Commission awarded sports wagering licenses to DraftKings and Circa Hospitality on Friday as the state moves toward launching legalized sports betting in December.

DraftKings Inc. (Nasdaq: DKNG) announced today that the Missouri Gaming Commission has granted the company a direct mobile sports betting license. This direct mobile sports betting license will enable DraftKings to operate independently across the state of Missouri,

The move from the Missouri Gaming Commission to pass up FanDuel for a sports betting license was seen as a major surprise. DraftKings and Circa Sports were selected instead.

DraftKings and Circa Sports will have the ability to operate independently without needing affiliation with an in-state casino or sports team in Missouri

Most investors weren't swayed by its second-quarter report. After more than a year's worth of unrewarded growth, they should have been.

The license allows DraftKings and Circa Sports to operate without needing to affiliate with a land-based casino or professional sports team.