The Kansas City Royals have found a new sports betting partner. On Monday, the MLB franchise announced it has signed Circa Sports, with the partnership officially launching later this week.
Updated on
26 January 2026
Wikimedia Commons
According to a news release, the Las Vegas-based sportsbook, which launched its online app in Missouri last month, will be featured in upcoming promotions and select “experiences” for Royals fans and VIPs.
“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,” said Cullen Maxey, the team’s president of business operations, in a statement. “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.”
The partnership begins this Friday when the Royals host their Royals Rally Casino Night at the stadium. Circa will serve as the presenting sponsor and will draw winners for 10 two-night midweek packages at Circa’s flagship casino resort location in downtown Las Vegas.
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.”
Circa Sports CEO Derek Stevens
Underdog Royals’ Initial Partner
Back in September, the Royals announced that Underdog Sports would serve as the team’s official sports betting partner. That deal included granting Underdog market access in Missouri.
While the Missouri Gaming Commission approved Underdog for a temporary license on Oct. 22, the company declined it, focusing instead on its prediction market platform.
No Access Needed for Circa
When Missouri voters narrowly approved the constitutional amendment legalizing sports betting in November 2024, the measure specified how operators could obtain a state license.
The initiative required all but two sportsbooks to partner with either an existing in-state casino operator or one of the state’s major professional sports teams. The winners of the two standalone licenses would receive a license without a partnership.
Circa and DraftKings received those licenses from the MGC in August. During his company’s presentation, Stevens focused on Circa’s approach to sports betting, with posted limits for all bettors. He added that Circa would benefit the state by bringing higher-dollar bettors who have been betting offshore into a regulated market.
Stay updated with GI
Follow Gambling Insider for independent news, analysis and industry expertise.
Steve Bittenbender
News Editor
Steve Bittenbender realized he wanted to become a reporter when he was in the sixth grade at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Louisville, Ky. He brings nearly 30 years of journalism and writing experience to Gambling Insider, where he serves as news editor.
During his career, he has covered a mix of sports, politics/government, business, and breaking news, including the legalization of same-sex marriage in Kentucky, an HIV outbreak in Southern Indiana, the COVID-19 crisis in Kentucky and other states, the Kentucky Derby, and University of Louisville athletics. His writing has appeared in Reuters, the Associated Press, The Center Square, Field Level Media, and numerous newspapers and publications, including the (Louisville) Courier Journal.
Since 2019, he has parlayed his experience in sports and government to focus on the U.S. gambling industry, including the rapid growth of legal sports betting across the country after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned PASPA for Casino.org and GDC. In addition to reporting, Steve has served as a subject matter expert and spokesperson, providing insights into the gambling industry to reporters for local media outlets.
Sports and gambling are not just for work. Steve enjoys going to Cincinnati Bengals games (primarily with his son), watching the New York Islanders, and keeping up with the Cincinnati Reds. He also wants to get back into golf and, maybe, poker. To get away, Steve likes to visit bourbon distilleries and wineries with his wife and travel across the country, especially to Las Vegas. He’s also a proud yacht rock aficionado.
Steve attended Boston University, where he studied journalism, and the University of Louisville, where he served as editor-in-chief of the independent student newspaper. He lives in his native Louisville.
Gambling Insider delivers the latest industry news, in-depth features, and operator reviews that you can trust. Our team combines rigorous editorial standards with decades of specialized expertise to ensure accuracy and fairness. We are committed to delivering clear, impartial, and dependable coverage across the global gambling sector.