Guide to Online Casinos in Missouri: The Best Missouri Casino Sites for 2024
By Jessica Whitehouse,Editor at online-gambling.com
Jessica Whitehouse
Editor at online-gambling.com
| Online Casinos | Legal Since: |
|---|---|
| Online Slots | Illegal |
| Online Roulette | Illegal |
| Online Blackjack | Illegal |
| Live Casino | Illegal |
The current status of Missouri online casinos is one of ambiguity. There are very few land-based locations to play at, and the Missouri online gambling industry has been suppressed by local lawmakers for the last couple of decades. To tell the truth, you’re a bit out of luck if you’re hoping to find a fully regulated and established casino market in this state. However, it is not all bad news, the legal fight rages on in the state legislature. The very harsh realization that millions of potential tax revenues are being lost to neighboring states who offer a more liberalized approach to gambling is becoming a catalyst for change. Throughout this article we’ll take a closer look at what exactly residents have as gambling options, and uncover the façade around online casinos in the Mother of the West.
- In order to stay on top of all news related to the gaming industry we work with trusted sources such as ABC News: Missouri and the Missourinet.
- We have years of experience in the remote gaming sphere with dedicated teams across the whole industry. They have used their extensive knowledge to create guides on topics like legal US sports betting or online slots.
- We keep a close eye on the Missouri State Legislature and the Ballotpedia: Missouri legal document analysis tool, in order to quickly spot any changes to the law.
Available Casino Games in Missouri
Despite the absence of a clearly defined regulated online casino market in Missouri, there are plenty of options available to residents. The first choice you can make is whether to travel to one of the brick & mortar locations around the state, or access one of the un-regulated casinos available in the inter-state online network. The law does not prohibit residents in any US state from accessing “off-shore” gaming sites, but it is strongly discouraged. These platforms don’t operate legally, which means that you risk losing all your winnings. In states like Missouri, legal online gambling providers haven’t been allowed to operate yet, so you’d have to travel to a different state to access even the most popular casino games.
- Video Poker: this game is very close to achieving legal status within Missouri, for now you’ll have to deal with “off-shore” vendors.
- Texas Hold ‘em: many argue this classic card game to be a battle of skill rather than straight-up gambling, nonetheless it remains un-licensed by the state but still accessible “off-shore”.
- Slots: there are tons of slots games available at online vendors from the early classics to the more modern animated variants.
- Roulette: the worlds most popular game of chance is available in the EU and USA variants at the inter-state online casino network.
- Blackjack: the classic cardgame against the dealer can be played online throughout the USA at online casinos.
Biggest State Land-Based Casinos
The situation on the ground in Missouri is not as bleak as you may think. Despite having specific legislation that prohibits the establishment of online casinos and sportsbooks, licenses for land-based casinos have and continue to be granted. The famous Kansas City on the border of Missouri and Kansas allows casino lovers to indulge in a variety of different options and venues. There are some hugely popular establishments around the state, and if you fancy experiencing a top-quality night in a true gaming environment, then head to one of the top locations we’ve listed for you below.
- Isle of Capri: 100 Isle of Capri Blvd, Boonville, MO 65233
- Mark Twain Casino: 104 Pierce St, La Grange, MO 63448
- River City Casino & Hotel: 777 River City Casino Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63125
- Lumier Place: 999 N 2nd St, St. Louis, MO 63102
- Hollywood Casino & Hotel: 777 Casino Center Dr, Maryland Heights, MO 63043
History of Casino Gambling in Missouri
Traditionally, Missouri has adopted a very harsh tolerance of gambling. Throughout the 20th century the legislative records highlight how opposed the Mother of the West has been to allowing gambling commercial interests to creep into the legal framework. The state banned pari-mutuel betting and doesn’t have any horse racing tracks. But since the early 21st century the sentiment is changing, the Riverboat casinos around the state allow residents to have a fully legal option to gamble and since 2019 there have been significant inroads into bringing about a wider and more over-arching form of gambling and online casinos regulation. Below we’ll walk you through some of the most significant milestones in the Missouri online casinos journey.
| Year | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | In a significant moment, the state legislature finally concedes a position to gaming advocated and allows the practice of bingo for charitable means within state boundaries. | |
| 1985 | Lottery games are sanctioned by the state. The immediate impact is significant and they become incredibly popular, raising tax revenues and allowing residents the opportunity to win millions of dollars. | |
| 1992 | The loophole in Missouri law that allows riverboats to become casinos is scaled. Many new riverboat casinos are popping up, but only allow customers to lose a maximum of $500 | |
| 2008 | Changing with the times. Lawmakers decide that the $500 limit is blocking a potential windfall in tax revenues and remove the limitation all together. | |
| 2019 | Following the watershed Supreme Court Decision that allows states to adjudicate for themselves whether sports betting should be legalised, Missouri lawmakers present a bill to the state legislature in an effort to bring about a regulated online sportsbook industry. |
Casino Gambling Age in Missouri
With the majority of casinos throughout the United States there is a limit of 21 years old to enter and gamble. The same goes for consumers in the state of Missouri. If you are planning to travel a long distance to one of these locations and haven’t done your due-diligence, then you may be severely disappointed if turned away from forgetting your identification. Missouri gambling establishments operate a tight procedure of protecting against underage gambling, and these laws are implemented with high levels of scrutiny. Below we have outlined the legal status and age-limits on several popular vices.
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Online Casino AgeAs previously mentioned. To play online casinos or enter a casino establishment you must be 21 years old.
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Alcohol AgeTo drink alcohol within the state of Missouri you must be over the national limit of 21 years old.
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Weed AgeTo be in possession of marijuana in Missouri is illegal, but has been decriminalized.
Responsible Gambling and Addiction Prevention
There are several negative drawbacks to not having a clearly defined legal framework for online casinos. One of the most significant and impactful on the public is the lack of responsible gambling initiatives and support for addicted gamblers. It is well documented throughout the world that gambling can cause devastation, many cultures completely reject gambling and consider it unethical. But it has been proven that within a liberalized and more accepted legal framework, with the assistance of support agencies, there can be a healthy and all-around prosperous way to enjoy gambling. Missouri residents in need of assistance do have several places to turn to, ask at a casino venue or research online within your state for help if you are feeling negative pressures to gamble.
Can I Play Without Deposit?
With the introduction of the new online casino legislation, there will be an influx of providers offering no deposit bonuses. Throughout our research we came across two casinos that currently offer customers $25 dollars to play with for free on sign-up, no deposit required. Certainly you can expect to receive some form of financial incentive to join a casino and it is merely a question of the wagering and turnover requirements that determine the quality of each offer. However, you should keep in mind that due to the lack of regulation you run the risk of being scammed or to have issues with the authorities. Thus, we recommend that you have a look at the alternatives for gambling in Missouri that are completely legal and will not get you into trouble.
Upcoming Casino Regulation and Expected Changes
Missouri residents recognize the need for legalization of online gambling. In a state that already has a prospering land-based casino industry, the time has come to branch out into the online space. In the states with legal online gambling, the industry is thriving. For example, online gambling in PA has brought new jobs and entertainment options to the residents. With the online casinos bill currently being debated in Missouri, it has already been proven that potentially huge gains are to be made from the introduction of legalized online casinos.
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