Show table of contentHistorically speaking, gambling in Missouri has always been all about horse racing and riverboat casinos. Throughout the 19th century, these industries were allowed to operate without regulation. Authorities stopped turning a blind eye to the betting action in 1905, and they criminalized all bookmaking operations.
Legal gambling was introduced to the state in 1984 when Missouri legalized horse racing and established an official lottery. Riverboat casinos were approved in 1992. Unfortunately, as the casinos gained popularity, the horse racing scene deteriorated. The local racetracks eventually stopped hosting live races, and pari-mutuel betting disappeared from the state.
| Allowed | Notes | |
| Land-based gambling | Yes | Casinos |
| Online gambling | No | |
| Sports betting | No | Likely to be authorized within the next two years |
| Lottery | Yes | |
| Minimum gambling age | 21 (casinos), 18 (lottery), 16 (charitable bingo) |
The Missouri Gaming Commission regulates casinos, charitable gaming (bingo), fantasy sports contests, and those who engage in these licensed gaming activities.
Missouri Revised Statutes define gambling as “staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or future contingent event.”
Like many states, Missouri gambling laws do not mention online gambling specifically, creating some room for ambiguity about whether the act of playing online is illegal or not. These questions have never been clarified by state lawmakers, nor by the judiciary since no one has ever been prosecuted in Missouri for engaging with offshore gambling sites.
However, according to Missouri Revised Statutes 572.020, knowingly engaging in unlawful gambling as a player is a Class C misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $750 and up to 15 days in jail. The penalty for professional gamblers is more severe and may include a fine of up to $2,000 and up to one year in jail. Home games are legal as long as there is no rake or other fees.
Most gambling-related matters are covered in Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 572.010 et seq. and 313.001 et seq.
The minimum gambling age is 16 for charity games, 18 for lottery and pari-mutuel betting, and 21 for casino-style games.
Online Gambling in Missouri
Missouri does not license or regulate online gaming and, as such, there are no state-authorized online casino or poker sites. Nevertheless, many offshore sites do accept players from Missouri.
Section 572 of the Missouri Code prohibits participating in unlicensed games of chance except social gaming. However, the law doesn’t mention internet gambling specifically, and the state never tried bringing misdemeanor charges of this kind against an online gambler.
Thus far, the state legislature has shown little appetite for legalizing online casino gaming and is not expected to do so soon.
Missouri Casinos
There are no traditional brick-and-mortar casinos in Missouri, but the state has a healthy riverboat casino industry. In total, 13 casinos are operating in various locations across the state.
These are Ameristar Casino Resort (St. Charles), Ameristar Casino Hotel (Kansas City), Argosy Casino Hotel and Spa (Riverside), Harrah’s North (Kansas City), Hollywood Casino St. Louis (Maryland Heights), Isle of Capri Casino Hotel (Boonville), Isle Casino Cape Girardeau (Cape Girardeau), Isle of Capri Casino Hotel (Kansas City), Lady Luck Casino (Caruthersville), Lumiere Place (St. Louis), Mark Twain Casino (La Grange), River City Casino and Hotel (St. Louis), and St. Jo Frontier Casino (St. Joseph).
Missouri regulations are not very restrictive when it comes to games, so all of the local riverboat casinos offer slots and a wide range of table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and casino poker.
Missouri Poker
Six Missouri riverboat casinos offer competitive poker. These are Ameristar Kansas City, Ameristar St. Charles, Harrah’s North Kansas City, Hollywood Casino St. Louis, Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, and Lumiere Place in St. Louis. Except for Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, which operates only four tables, most of these casinos are capable of running at least ten games at any given time. Tournaments are usually hosted on a bi-weekly basis, and most of the action is all about No-Limit Hold ’em.
There aren't any Missouri online poker sites regulated by the state. The Missouri Code prohibits participating in unlicensed games and recommends stricter penalties for "professional players." However, no online poker player has ever been prosecuted under these laws.
Home poker games are legal in Missouri, provided no one is taking a rake or otherwise profiting commercially.
Missouri Parimutuel Betting
Horse race betting was legalized in 1984. Unfortunately, Missouri regulations require all bets to be taken on racing days, and none of the local racetracks host live races anymore. As a result, while theoretically legal, horse race betting is currently unavailable to Missouri residents.
Missouri Sports Betting
Sports betting in Missouri is still illegal, but this is likely to change in the coming years. There is a strong appetite within the legislature and the local gambling industry to legalize sports betting, the question is whether mobile wagering will also be in the mix.
Missouri shares borders with eight states. That ties it with Tennessee as the state with the most direct neighbors. All but one of these eight states has legal sports betting, meaning that Missouri's casino industry will suffer unless it follows suit.
With a bipartisan bill to launch sports betting failing at the final hurdle in 2023, Missouri is a hot tip to legalize in 2024.
Missouri Daily Fantasy Sports
Missouri enacted a DFS bill in June 2016. The new legislation puts DFS platforms under the purview of the Missouri Gaming Commission. It obligates all Missouri-facing operators to pay an annual licensing fee and to undergo a yearly audit.
As it stands, Missouri residents are free to participate in paid-entry DFS contests on most major DFS sites.
Missouri Lotteries
The Missouri Lottery offers a wide range of draw games, including multi-state lotteries such as Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lucky for Life. The lottery is also authorized to operate scratchers, keno (with drawings every four minutes), and pull-tabs. The Missouri Lottery does not offer sales over the internet, so all tickets must be purchased from land-based retailers.
Missouri Bingo Laws
Bingo is legal in Missouri provided it's offered by registered charities. During the 2018 midterm elections, Missouri residents voted to decrease the waiting period before a charity can manage a bingo game from two years to six months. The constitutional ban on advertising bingo games was also removed. Unfortunately, Missouri does not have a regulated online bingo market, and playing on offshore sites could be classified as illegal gambling.
Missouri Gray Machines
Since 2019, unregulated “gray market” gaming machines have proliferated in convenience stores, bars, and truck stops. These slot-like terminals claim to be legal, usually because they “pre-reveal” the outcome of the next spin or mimic a raffle. There have been competing efforts in the legislature to tax and regulate the machines or ban them outright. As of 2023, the issue is unresolved.
Missouri Gambling FAQ
Does Missouri have casinos?
Yes, Missouri has 13 riverboat casinos operating in various locations across the state.
Can I bet on sports in Missouri?
Sports betting is currently illegal in Missouri, although that is likely to change soon. We expect the state to legalize this type of wagering by 2025, maybe sooner.
Can I gamble online in Missouri?
No, online gambling is not licensed or regulated in the state, although some Missourians do gamble with offshore operators.
Can I bet on horses in Missouri?
Theoretically, yes. In practice, no. Missouri regulations require all bets to be taken on racing days, and none of the state's racetracks host live races anymore.
Can I play slots in Missouri?
Yes, you can play slots at any one of Missouri's 13 casinos, along with a host of table games, including blackjack, craps, and roulette.
Can I play poker in Missouri?
Yes, the Ameristar Kansas City, Ameristar St. Charles, Harrah’s North Kansas City, Hollywood Casino St. Louis, Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, and Lumiere Place in St. Louis all have poker rooms.
What's the legal gambling age in Missouri?
It's 21 for casinos, 18 for the lottery, and 16 for charitable bingo.
Missouri Revised Statutes
Legalized Gambling
Missouri permits various forms of casino gambling on licensed excursion boats. The laws are in Chapter 313 of the Missouri Revised Statutes
Contracts Against Public Policy
Money lost at gaming recovered, how,
434.030 . Any person who shall lose any money or property at any game, gambling device or by any bet or wager whatever, may recover the same by a civil action.
Heirs may have the remedy.
434.040. The heirs, executors, administrators, wife and creditors of the person losing, may have the same remedy against the winner as provided in section 434.030.
Stakeholder liable.
434.050. Every stakeholder who shall knowingly receive any money or property, staked upon any betting declared gaming by the foregoing provisions, shall be liable to the party who placed such money or property in his hands, both before and after the determination of such bet; and the delivery of the money or property to the winner shall be no defense to any action brought by the losing party for the recovery thereof; provided, that no stakeholder shall be liable afterward unless a demand has been made of such stakeholder for the money or property in his possession, previous to the expiration of the time agreed upon by the parties for the determination of the bet or wager.
Parents may recover minor's gaming losses.
434.060. If any minor shall lose any money or property at any game, gambling device, or by any bet or wager whatever, the parent or conservator of such minor may sue for and recover from the winner such money or property, or the value thereof, so lost by such minor.
Interrogatories.
434.080 . In all suits under this chapter, the plaintiff may call upon the defendant to answer, on oath, any interrogatory touching the case in the manner and form prescribed by the rules of civil procedure, and if the defendant shall refuse to answer, the same shall be taken as confessed; but such answer shall not be admitted as evidence against such person in any criminal proceedings by indictment or by information.
Action to be commenced in three months.
434.090. Any action for money or property brought under this chapter shall be commenced within three months from the time the right of action accrued, and not afterward.
Criminal Laws
Chapter definitions.
572.010. As used in this chapter:
(1) "Advance gambling activity", a person "advances gambling activity" if, acting other than as a player, he engages in conduct that materially aids any form of gambling activity. Conduct of this nature includes but is not limited to conduct directed toward the creation or establishment of the particular game, lottery, contest, scheme, device or activity involved, toward the acquisition or maintenance of premises, paraphernalia, equipment or apparatus therefor, toward the solicitation or inducement of persons to participate therein, toward the actual conduct of the playing phases thereof, toward the arrangement or communication of any of its financial or recording phases, or toward any other phase of its operation. A person advances gambling activity if, having substantial proprietary control or other authoritative control over premises being used with his knowledge for purposes of gambling activity, he permits that activity to occur or continue or makes no effort to prevent its occurrence or continuation. The supplying, servicing and operation of a licensed excursion gambling boat under sections 313.800 to 313.840, RSMo, does not constitute advancing gambling activity;
(2) "Bookmaking", means advancing gambling activity by unlawfully accepting bets from members of the public as a business, rather than in a casual or personal fashion, upon the outcomes of future contingent events;
(3) "Contest of chance" means any contest, game, gaming scheme or gaming device in which the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that the skill of the contestants may also be a factor therein;
(4) "Gambling", a person engages in "gambling" when he stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under his control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that he will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome. Gambling does not include bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contracts, including but not limited to contracts for the purchase or sale at a future date of securities or commodities, and agreements to compensate for loss caused by the happening of chance, including but not limited to contracts of indemnity or guaranty and life, health or accident insurance; nor does gambling include playing an amusement device that confers only an immediate right of replay not exchangeable for something of value. Gambling does not include any licensed activity, or persons participating in such games which are covered by sections 313.800 to 313.840, RSMo;
(5) "Gambling device" means any device, machine, paraphernalia or equipment that is used or usable in the playing phases of any gambling activity, whether that activity consists of gambling between persons or gambling by a person with a machine. However, lottery tickets, policy slips and other items used in the playing phases of lottery and policy schemes are not gambling devices within this definition;
(6) "Gambling record" means any article, instrument, record, receipt, ticket, certificate, token, slip or notation used or intended to be used in connection with unlawful gambling activity;
(7) "Lottery" or "policy" means an unlawful gambling scheme in which for a consideration the participants are given an opportunity to win something of value, the award of which is determined by chance;
(8) "Player" means a person who engages in any form of gambling solely as a contestant or bettor, without receiving or becoming entitled to receive any profit therefrom other than personal gambling winnings, and without otherwise rendering any material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation of the particular gambling activity. A person who gambles at a social game of chance on equal terms with the other participants therein does not otherwise render material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation thereof by performing, without fee or remuneration, acts directed toward the arrangement or facilitation of the game, such as inviting persons to play, permitting the use of premises therefor and supplying cards or other equipment used therein. A person who engages in "bookmaking" as defined in subdivision (2) of this section is not a "player";
(9) "Professional player" means a player who engages in gambling for a livelihood or who has derived at least twenty percent of his income in any one year within the past five years from acting solely as a player;
(10) "Profit from gambling activity", a person "profits from gambling activity" if, other than as a player, he accepts or receives money or other property pursuant to an agreement or understanding with any person whereby he participates or is to participate in the proceeds of gambling activity;
11) "Slot machine" means a gambling device that as a result of the insertion of a coin or other object operates, either completely automatically or with the aid of some physical act by the player, in such a manner that, depending upon elements of chance, it may eject something of value. A device so constructed or readily adaptable or convertible to such use is no less a slot machine because it is not in working order or because some mechanical act of manipulation or repair is required to accomplish its adaptation, conversion or workability. Nor is it any less a slot machine because apart from its use or adaptability as such it may also sell or deliver something of value on a basis other than chance;
(12) "Something of value" means any money or property, any token, object or article exchangeable for money or property, or any form of credit or promise directly or indirectly contemplating transfer of money or property or of any interest therein or involving extension of a service, entertainment or a privilege of playing at a game or scheme without charge;
(13) "Unlawful" means not specifically authorized by law.
Gambling.
572.020.
1. A person commits the crime of gambling if he knowingly engages in gambling.
2. Gambling is a class C misdemeanor unless:
(1) It is committed by a professional player, in which case it is a class D felony; or
(2) The person knowingly engages in gambling with a minor, in which case it is a class B misdemeanor.
Promoting gambling in the first degree.
572.030.
1. A person commits the crime of promoting gambling in the first degree if he knowingly advances or profits from unlawful gambling or lottery activity by:
(1) Setting up and operating a gambling device to the extent that more than one hundred dollars of money is gambled upon or by means of the device in any one day, or setting up and operating any slot machine; or
(2) Engaging in bookmaking to the extent that he receives or accepts in any one day more than one bet and a total of more than one hundred dollars in bets; or
(3) Receiving in connection with a lottery or policy or enterprise:
(a) Money or written records from a person other than a player whose chances or plays are represented by such money or records; or
(b) More than one hundred dollars in any one day of money played in the scheme or enterprise; or
(c) Something of value played in the scheme or enterprise with a fair market value exceeding one hundred dollars in any one day.
2. Promoting gambling in the first degree is a class D felony.
Promoting gambling in the second degree.
572.040.
1. A person commits the crime of promoting gambling in the second degree if he knowingly advances or profits from unlawful gambling or lottery activity.
2. Promoting gambling in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.
Possession of gambling records in the first degree.
572.050.
1. A person commits the crime of possession of gambling records in the first degree if, with knowledge of the contents thereof, he possesses any gambling record of a kind used:
(1) In the operation or promotion of a bookmaking scheme or enterprise, and constituting, reflecting or representing more than five bets totaling more than five hundred dollars; or
(2) In the operation, promotion or playing of a lottery or policy scheme or enterprise, and constituting, reflecting or representing more than five hundred plays or chances therein.
2. A person does not commit a crime under subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of this section if the gambling record possessed by the defendant constituted, reflected or represented bets of the defendant himself in a number not exceeding ten.
3. The defendant shall have the burden of injecting the issue under subsection 2.
4. Possession of gambling records in the first degree is a class D felony.
Possession of gambling records in the second degree.
572.060.
1. A person commits the crime of possession of gambling records in the second degree if, with knowledge of the contents thereof, he possesses any gambling record of a kind used:
(1) In the operation or promotion of a bookmaking scheme or enterprise; or
(2) In the operation, promotion or playing of a lottery or policy scheme or enterprise.
2. A person does not commit a crime under subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of this section if the gambling record possessed by the defendant constituted, reflected or represented bets of the defendant himself in a number not exceeding ten.
3. The defendant shall have the burden of injecting the issue under subsection 2.
4. Possession of gambling records in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.
Possession of a gambling device.
572.070.
1. A person commits the crime of possession of a gambling device if, with knowledge of the character thereof, he manufactures, sells, transports, places or possesses, or conducts or negotiates any transaction affecting or designed to affect ownership, custody or use of:
(1) A slot machine; or
(2) Any other gambling device, knowing or having reason to believe that it is to be used in the state of Missouri in the advancement of unlawful gambling activity.
2. Possession of a gambling device is a class A misdemeanor.
Lottery offenses--no defense.
572.080.
It is no defense under any section of this chapter relating to a lottery that the lottery itself is drawn or conducted outside Missouri and is not in violation of the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is drawn or conducted.
Gambling houses, public nuisances--abatement.
572.090.
1. Any room, building or other structure regularly used for any unlawful gambling activity prohibited by this chapter is a public nuisance.
2. The attorney general, circuit attorney or prosecuting attorney may, in addition to all criminal sanctions, prosecute a suit in equity to enjoin the nuisance. If the court finds that the owner of the room, building or structure knew or had reason to believe that the premises were being used regularly for unlawful gambling activity, the court may order that the premises shall not be occupied or used for such period as the court may determine, not to exceed one year.
3. Appeals shall be allowed from the judgment of the court as in other civil actions.
Preemption--exclusions.
572.100.
The general assembly by enacting this chapter intends to preempt any other regulation of the area covered by this chapter. No governmental subdivision or agency may enact or enforce a law that regulates or makes any conduct in the area covered by this chapter an offense, or the subject of a criminal or civil penalty or sanction of any kind. The term "gambling", as used in this chapter, does not include licensed activities under sections 313.800 to 313.840, RSMo.
Duties of prosecuting attorneys.
572.110.
It shall be the duty of the circuit attorneys and prosecuting attorneys in their respective jurisdictions to enforce the provisions of this chapter, and the attorney general shall have a concurrent duty to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
Forfeiture of gambling devices, records and money.
572.120.
Any gambling device or gambling record, or any money used as bets or stakes in unlawful gambling activity, possessed or used in violation of this chapter may be seized by any peace officer and is forfeited to the state. Forfeiture procedures shall be conducted as provided by rule of court. Forfeited money and the proceeds from the sale of forfeited property shall be paid into the school fund of the county. Any forfeited gambling device or record not needed in connection with any proceedings under this chapter and which has no legitimate use shall be ordered publicly destroyed.
Antique slot machines exempt from section 572.120, when.
572.125.
1. It shall be an affirmative defense to any prosecution under this chapter relating to slot machines, if the defendant shows that the slot machine is an antique slot machine and was not operated for gambling purposes while in the defendant's possession. For the purposes of this section, an antique slot machine is one which is over thirty years old.
2. Notwithstanding section 572.120, whenever the defense provided by subsection 1 of this section is offered, no slot machine seized from any defendant shall be destroyed or otherwise altered until after a final court determination that such defense is not applicable. If the defense is applicable, any such slot machine shall be returned pursuant to provisions of law providing for the return of property