Can You Gamble in Missouri? The Ultimate Guide (2024 Update)

Missouri offers a mix of legal and illegal gambling options, leaving many residents and visitors wondering: Can you gamble in Missouri? The short answer is yes, but only in specific, state-regulated ways.

In this 1,000+ word guide, we’ll break down:
✅ Legal gambling options in Missouri
 What’s still prohibited
 The gray area of online gambling
 Latest updates on sports betting legalization
 How Missouri compares to neighboring states

Whether you’re interested in casinos, sports betting, or online gambling in Missouri, this guide has everything you need to gamble legally and safely.

Is Gambling Legal in Missouri? A Quick Overview

Before diving into specifics, let’s clarify: Missouri allows some forms of gambling but bans others. Here’s the current legal landscape:

✔ Legal in Missouri:

• Riverboat casinos (13 state-licensed venues)

• State lottery (Powerball, Mega Millions, scratch-offs)

• Charitable gaming (bingo, raffles)

• Horse race betting (pari-mutuel wagering)

❌ Illegal in Missouri (for now):

• Sports betting (but legislation is pending)

• Online casinos & poker (no state-regulated market)

• Unregulated slot machines & underground betting

Now, let’s explore each category in detail.

Where Can You Legally Gamble in Missouri?

1. Missouri’s Riverboat Casinos

Despite the name, Missouri’s “riverboat” casinos are permanently docked, offering full-scale gaming. The state has 13 licensed casinos, including:

• Ameristar Casino (Kansas City & St. Charles)

• Lumiere Place (St. Louis)

• Hollywood Casino (Maryland Heights & Cape Girardeau)

• Argosy Casino (Kansas City)

Games offered:

• Slot machines

• Blackjack, roulette, craps

• Poker rooms (at select locations)

2. Missouri Lottery (Including Powerball & Mega Millions)

The Missouri Lottery is fully legal and includes:

• Multi-state jackpots (Powerball, Mega Millions)

• Scratch-off tickets

• Daily draw games (Pick 3, Pick 4)

3. Charitable Gambling (Bingo & Raffles)

Non-profit organizations can host:

• Bingo nights

• Raffles

• Pull-tab games

4. Horse Race Betting (Pari-Mutuel Wagering)

Missouri allows betting on horse racing at:

• Fairmount Park (Collinsville, IL – near St. Louis)

• Off-track betting (OTB) locations

(Note: Greyhound racing is no longer active in Missouri.)

Is Online Gambling Legal in Missouri?

This is where things get tricky.

Online Casino Missouri: The Legal Gray Zone

• No state-regulated online casinos exist in Missouri.

• No law explicitly bans players from using offshore sites like Bovada, BetOnline, or Ignition Casino.

• Enforcement is rare, but these sites operate in a legal gray area.

Online Sports Betting in Missouri (Not Yet Legal)

Unlike neighboring Kansas and Illinois, Missouri has not yet legalized online sports betting, though bills are proposed every year.

Sweepstakes & Social Casinos (A Legal Alternative)

Since real-money online casinos aren’t state-approved, many Missouri players use:

• Chumba Casino

• LuckyLand Slots

• Global Poker (sweepstakes model)

These sites use a sweepstakes loophole to offer cash prizes legally.

Gambling Laws Missouri: What’s Illegal?

While Missouri permits some gambling, these activities remain prohibited:

 Unregulated sports betting (no licensed sportsbooks yet)
 Underground poker games (if the house takes a rake)
 Unlicensed slot machines (outside casinos)

Penalties for illegal gambling in Missouri:

• Misdemeanor charges for small-scale betting

• Felony charges for running illegal gambling operations

• Fines up to $10,000+ for bookmaking

Will Missouri Legalize Sports Betting & Online Gambling Soon?

Sports Betting Update (2024 Status)

Missouri lawmakers have introduced multiple sports betting bills, but disputes (like ties to video lottery terminals) have stalled progress.

Neighboring states (Kansas, Illinois, Iowa) already allow sports betting, meaning Missouri is losing tax revenue to cross-border betting.

Prediction: Missouri could legalize sports betting by 2025.

Online Casino & Poker Future

No active bills propose legal Missouri online casinos, but if sports betting passes, online gambling could follow.

How Does Missouri Compare to Neighboring States?

Key Takeaway: Missouri lags behind neighbors in sports betting and online gambling.

Best Legal Gambling Options in Missouri Right Now

Since online gambling Missouri isn’t fully legal, here are the safest ways to gamble:

1. Visit a licensed riverboat casino (Ameristar, Lumiere, etc.)

2. Play the Missouri Lottery (Powerball, scratch-offs)

3. Bet on horse racing (Fairmount Park)

4. Use sweepstakes casinos (Chumba, LuckyLand)

Final Answer: Can You Gamble in Missouri?

✅ Yes, but only in state-regulated forms:

• Riverboat casinos

• Lottery & charitable games

• Horse race betting

 Avoid illegal gambling, including underground sports betting and unlicensed poker games.

 Future Outlook: Sports betting could be legalized soon, but online casino Missouri options remain limited.

For official updates, check the Missouri Gaming Commission.

Key Takeaways

✔ Gambling in Missouri is legal at casinos, lottery, and horse tracks.
✔ Online gambling Missouri is unregulated but not prosecuted.
✔ Sports betting is not yet legal, but 2025 could bring changes.
✔ Stick to licensed options to avoid legal trouble.

Now that you know can you gamble in Missouri, play smart and stay updated on law changes! ♠️