Missouri Online Casino Real Money – Gambling Laws in The Show Me State
Missouri online casinos aren’t regulated despite the state law allowing a wide range of land-based gaming options.
State residents play in a legal gray area where officials do not prosecute them for gambling online.
Instead, players visit offshore online casinos and poker sites not bound by US law.
This article will help find suitable online casinos and better understand what Missouri’s legislation allows.
Summary of Missouri Gambling Laws
Missouri gambling laws are permissive in most areas, but they favor brick-and-mortar operators over web establishments.
The Show Me State does not regulate any form of online gambling, so people play at offshore sites.
Gambling | Missouri |
---|---|
Is Online Gambling Legal? | Gray Area (Offshore sites only) |
Playing at Online Casinos | Gray Area (Offshore sites only) |
Legal Age Online | 18+ |
Land-Based Casinos | Yes |
Legal Age Land-Based | 21+ |
Online Sports Betting | No |
Charitable Gambling | Yes |
State Lottery | Yes |
Social Gaming | Yes |
Is Gambling Legal in Missouri
The state has legal land-based casinos, charitable gambling, and lottery betting. Private home games are legal, so long as organizers follow the rules and collect no profits.
Online gambling happens at offshore casino sites since the state has no licensed online gambling.
Gambling | Missouri Legal Status |
---|---|
Casino Gambling | Yes |
Poker | Yes |
Horse Racing Betting | No |
Dog Racing Betting | No |
Lottery | Yes |
Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes |
Sports Betting | No |
Charitable Gaming | Yes |
Social Gaming | Yes |
Online Gambling | No |
Best Missouri Online Casinos
The top real-money casino sites for Missouri residents are offshore casinos. These sites accept players from the state and are the only viable online option for residents.
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Where to Gamble in MO
State residents have many gambling options. In the brick-and-mortar gambling industry, Missouri has both tribal and retail casinos.
Bingo halls and social games are legal, while online players must play at offshore gaming sites.
Land-Based Casinos in Missouri
The Show Me State has 13 land-based commercial casinos, with operators being riverboat casinos built on the banks of the Mississippi River.
Brand names like Ameristar, Harrah’s Bally’s, Argosy, and Isle of Capri are among them.
Below is a full list of the state’s casino locations.
Casino | Location |
---|---|
Ameristar | St. Charles, MO |
Ameristar | Kansas City, MO |
Argosy Casino Riverside | Riverside, MO |
Bally’s Kansas City | Kansas City, MO |
Century Casino Cape Girardeau | Cape Girardeau, MO |
Century Casino Caruthersville | Caruthersville, MO |
Harrah’s North | Kansas City, MO |
Hollywood Casino St. Louis | Maryland Heights, MO |
Horseshoe St. Louis | St. Louis, MO |
Isle of Capri | Boonville, MO |
Mark Twain | La Grange, MO |
River City Casino | St. Louis, MO |
St. Jo Frontier Casino | St. Joseph, MO |
Horse & Dog Tracks
Missouri allows pari-mutuel betting on horse races, but no horse racing venues currently exist.
Since horse betting can be done solely within horse track premises, it’s illegal to gamble on horse races within any other gambling establishment within MO.
Online Sports Betting
Residents who want to place sports bets online must visit the offshore sportsbooks. Such activities take place in a legal gray area.
Local officials state these activities are banned but do not prosecute sports bettors.
Those who play at offshore online sportsbooks must be careful when they choose an operator. Trusted names like Bovada, BetOnline, and BetUS welcome players from Missouri.
Bingo Halls and Charitable Gambling
Bingo revenues help not-for-profit organizations fund many programs. The state has 175 approved charitable bingo operators.
Using the Missouri Gaming Commission’s bingo search tool, you can easily find a bingo hall near your location.
Social Gaming at Home
Missouri allows private home games if organizers follow state laws.
Organizers can’t profit in any way from the games, and table games with a built-in house edge – such as blackjack and craps – are banned.
Otherwise, residents can have poker nights or casino-style gambling at their homes.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
Six of Missouri’s land-based casinos have poker rooms. Ameristar Casino in Kansas City has a poker room with 15 poker tables.
Harrah’s Kansas City in North Kansas City has 12 poker tables. Century Casino in Cape Girardeau has four poker tables.
Hollywood Casino St. Louis in Maryland Heights has a poker room with ten tables, while Horseshoe St. Louis has 13 poker tables.
Ameristar Casino in Saint Charles has the largest poker room, with 19 tables.
Eight-Liners
Though residents might encounter gaming machines in gas stations, Missouri does not license eight-liners.
Gaming machines in the state often let the player know before a spin whether they will win the next few spins.
This rule exploits the gray area, which states that gambling occurs if the player doesn’t know the outcome beforehand.
Proponents of these eight-liners call these “amusement devices,” while opponents say they’re illegal gambling.
Casino Cruises.
Since Missouri is landlocked, it has no casino cruises.
The Cave State does have 11 riverboat casinos, but these are anchored to the banks of the Mississippi River and do not move.
Real Money Online Casino Missouri – Games You can Play
Missouri players can enjoy a full range of online casino games. Everything is on the table, but the many options might confuse new players. Here’s a survey of the casino games you’ll encounter online.
Online Slots
State residents must play slot games at offshore online casinos. Sites like DuckyLuck and Bovada feature hundreds of slot games.
These sites use popular software developers like RTG, Betsoft, and Rival Gaming to ensure game quality, variety, and fairness.
Many offshore gambling sites have been in the business for several decades, gaining the respect of players and critics alike.
Be sure to read reviews and player opinions before depositing anywhere.
Online Poker
Online poker can be played through offshore sites where you can choose between playing video, online, and live dealer poker.
You can also enjoy participating in poker tournaments with huge cash prizes at the most prominent online casinos.
If you’re far from any of the land-based casinos in Missouri with poker rooms, you’ll either drive out of state or play at an offshore online poker room.
Blackjack
Visit any online casino, and you’ll quickly discover that online blackjack is the most popular table game.
Here, you’ll usually get better payout rates than their land-based casinos, as online operations get more leeway when paying taxes.
Online play opens a plethora of variants and game modalities for players that include different side bets and even live dealer play.
Most land-based casinos in Missouri have blackjack tables. Expect games with $10 bet limits or more.
Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games are a draw to many popular online casinos, as human dealers handle games of blackjack, baccarat, and roulette in real-time.
The providers stream the games to your computer as it happens, and bettors can talk with the dealers during the game.
Live dealer blackjack is much like the game you would play in land-based casinos. The only difference is that you make bets using your mouse and keyboard.
Live casino games happen on the same offshore sites that feature online slots and blackjack.
Other Games Available at Missouri Online Casinos
Online casinos have roulette, craps, and baccarat in their table games section.
You’ll find Live Baccarat and Live Roulette when you visit the live casino. If you click on the specialty games section, Keno, Bingo, and other unique games can be found.
Top Bonuses at Online Casinos for Missouri Players
Players can expect sites to offer welcome bonus packages containing deposit bonuses and free spins when making a first deposit at Missouri online casinos.
If you want a straightforward initial deposit bonus, Bovada offers a 3-tiered welcome bonus that requires a promo code.
Those who want free spins should consider DuckyLuck’s welcome bonus offer.
Missouri Online Gambling Laws
State laws are permissive for land-based gambling but lack definition when it comes to online gambling.
Players can gamble online without fear of prosecution but must do so at casino sites and poker rooms in other countries.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Missouri?
The Missouri Gaming Commission’s Rules and Regulations don’t address online gambling in any way or form, casting it into a legal grey area.
For this reason, no online casinos operate in the state, as there’s no legal framework for a local industry.
Residents can play at offshore sites based within foreign jurisdictions.
Is Sports Betting Legal in MO?
Sports betting fans are out of luck in The Show Me State, as land-based and online sports betting are illegal.
Bettors can travel to nearby states like Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Tennessee, and Iowa, where sportsbooks are allowed.
Offshore online sportsbooks operate similarly to their casino counterparts, with many welcoming players from the state.
Bingo, Lottery, and Charitable Gambling
Bingo and other charitable gambling operations run by a licensed religious, fraternal, charitable, veteran, or service organization are legal in the state and are overseen by Missouri’s Charitable Gaming Division.
Missouri offers several state-run lotteries, Cash4Life and MegaMillions, among others.
Pull tabs can also be found throughout the state, falling under the charitable gambling umbrella.
*Please be advised that the information provided on this page does not constitute legal advice. Our team strongly recommends you seek professional counsel from a qualified attorney regarding your specific questions or concerns on the topic.
Missouri Online Gambling vs. Neighboring States
Missouri’s online gambling laws are like the eight states that border it. While none of the states regulate and license online gambling sites, none of them ban online gambling directly.
Thus, state gambling laws create a gray area for players. It’s the same in every other state nearby.
US State | Playing at Online Casinos | State Regulated Casinos | Social Casinos | Online Sports Betting | Lottery | Fantasy Sports | Charitable Gaming |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Missouri | Gray Area | Not Legal | Not Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Iowa | Gray Area | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Illinois | Gray Area | Not Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Kentucky | Gray Area | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Tennessee | Gray Area | Not Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Not Legal |
Arkansas | Gray Area | Not Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Not Legal |
Oklahoma | Gray Area | Not Legal | Not Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Kansas | Gray Area | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Nebraska | Gray Area | Not Legal | Not Legal | Pending | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Missouri has legal lottery betting, fantasy sports, and charitable gambling. It doesn’t allow retail or online sports betting.
Since five of the eight states adjacent to MO allow sports betting, bettors simply cross state lines if they choose that form of gambling.
State residents who want to bet online on casino games and poker play at offshore sites—nearby states have the same approach to online gambling.
Missouri Online Casino – Tips to Play Safely
Missouri players should keep a few things in mind before playing online. I’ll cover the most relevant below.
Leverage Bonus Money
Look to reputable Missouri online casinos like Bovada or DuckyLuck for lucrative first deposit bonuses and other ongoing promotions.
Good bonuses give you free money that’ll extend your bankroll.
Look for Player Security Measures
You’ll want to play at sites that operate 256-bit secure socket layering (SSL) encryption or Transport Layer Security (TLS).
Security measures like these ensure your protection when playing either on a desktop or mobile.
Read Bonus Terms & Conditions
When claiming any bonus offer, read the terms of use and comply with them.
Doing so avoids conflict in the withdrawal process and will let you choose the promotions that better suit your needs.
Research Online Gambling Sites:
Research before depositing cash at offshore sites because you play with fewer legal protections.
Outstanding reviews will follow reputable casinos, while those with lesser reputations fill player forums with complaints.
Be Mindful of Gambling Taxes
If your gambling winnings for the year are $8,969 or higher, you’ll have to pay a fixed tax rate of 5.4% on top of the federal 24% rate.
Missouri Gambling Pros and Cons
State residents must play at sites with servers based in other countries.
These sites often spoil players by offering large bonuses due to high competition within the industry.
Pros
- Top offshore online casinos accept players from Missouri.
- These sites offer welcome bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $14,000.
- Online casinos have hundreds of slots, table games, and specialty games.
- Most sites feature live dealer games that offer blackjack, baccarat, and roulette.
Cons
- Online gambling exists in a legal gray area.
- Missouri won’t prosecute players, but players won’t have many legal protections.
- Choosing the right casinos and cardrooms requires research at trusted review sites.
Future of Online Gambling in Missouri: Our Prediction
Missouri’s online gambling laws are not likely to change soon, as no state lawmaker is backing a bill to regulate online casinos or poker sites in the current legislative session.
Casinos in the state are pursuing the right to open retail sportsbooks, and voters will likely have the chance to decide this.
If retail sportsbooks are legalized, online sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps will likely follow suit.
Online casinos and poker sites will remain unregulated for the foreseeable future as all the state’s political capital seems geared towards sports betting.
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