Online Casinos Missouri

If you are an online gambling enthusiast residing in the Show-Me State, you would have a hard time finding an appropriate outlet for your gathered casino energy. The state has very strict rules about betting and has limited its availability to the maximum. The truth is online casinos Missouri are illegal, and if you happen to stumble upon a gambling venue that accepts MO players, it most definitely is trying to steal your money. Read our complete guide to the gambling scene in the state and learn what the future might hold for the sector.
  • Missouri gambling law checked by experts
  • Current Missouri gambling situation overview
  • Missouri online casinos future
  • 0 Legal Online Casinos
  • 0 Legal Land Based Casinos
  • 0 Legal Social Casinos
  • 0 Legal Bingo / Lottery Games
  • Responsible Gaming
  • Missouri Gaming Commission

Missouri Online Casinos – Current Missourian Gambling Laws

Online gaming is the industry’s future, despite the conservative approach of the Missouri online gambling laws. Nevertheless, the state boasts more than a dozen riverboat casinos run only by MGC approved casino operator licensees. If you find yourself near one, you can still indulge in some gambling in Missouri.

The fact is that MO digital gambling is illegal, as are all online casinos Missouri. It doesn’t help that no specific laws allow it, and also, none is willing to take a risk, despite the sector’s “grey area” status. We have yet to see what the future of the Missouri online gambling laws holds and if there is even a remote chance to see online casinos legalized.

The State of Online Gambling in Missouri

Given that all Missouri online casinos are considered illegal in the state, it’s no surprise that other online gaming forms are off-limits, too. Examples include online poker and sports betting. Horse racing is technically legal, but there are no tracks in the state to place bets on.

Otherwise, Missourians can participate in the National Lottery, but only if the tickets are bought on location from one of the authorized vendors. As of this moment, it isn’t possible to procure tickets online. Speaking strictly from the point of view of online gambling in Missouri, your options are rather limited.

Social casino sites are the only alternative to online casinos Missouri can offer. As there is no real money gambling, they are not considered illegal and are therefore open to visitors from the state.


Missourian Gambling History

Every state in the US has had its fair share of tremulous past regarding gambling, and the Show-Me State is no different. Unlike some other states, however, MO’s history is much shorter. Up until 1905, gambling was unsupervised across the entire state, and people were free to do whatever they wanted betting-wise.

In 1905, the government shut down all possibilities to gamble in all its forms, which remained so for the next 79 years. In 1984, the first legal lottery and horse racing came into existence, followed by the riverboat casinos in 1992. Up until this day, land-based Missourian casinos are non-existent and there should be major updates to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act if we are to see any changes.

Brief US Gambling History

While the US is comprised of fifty different states with individual governments and legislations, it won’t be difficult to summarize the entire country’s gambling sector in one paragraph. Some forms of lotteries, horse racing, daily fantasy, and bingo are legal in most states, while the online branch is mostly off-limits. Having said that, here are the only states in the US with legal online casinos and licenses:


The Wire Act of 1961 and Its Implications

The Federal Wire Act of 1961 has had as much impact on the Missouri online gambling laws as it did elsewhere in the country. It targets all sporting events and contests, where wagers are placed, and money is won through them. Over the years, numerous debates have arisen as to what is included in it. To this day, though, it practically bans sports betting not just in Missouri but in every other state, as well.


Black Friday – A Dark Day for Poker Fans in Missouri and the US

On April 15, 2011, the doors to online poker were abruptly closed to all US citizens, quite possibly forever. Following the revelations from a huge investigation that targeted executives at the biggest online poker sites PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and the Cereus Network, they were immediately shut down for the US.

Overnight, the entire country, Missouri online casinos included, lost its only chance to play poker online due to the malicious activities of a dozen of individuals that were committing bank fraud on top of other things. On the bright side, several states have recovered and have moved forward with steps towards the legalization of online casinos in the years since.


Popular Online Casino Games in the US

Despite the fact that online casinos that accept Missouri players are illegal, several other states are enjoying a slowly thriving digital gambling environment. Purely based on observations, it’s easy to pinpoint which games will fare well with Missourians if the sector was legal to access. We will talk briefly about each individual gambling product shortly.

The clear winners are rather obvious just after a quick scan of either legal casino’s catalog, with the slot machines coming straight on top. There simply isn’t another game that comes in so many shapes, forms, and with distinct features and design. Also, never underestimate the power of table games as they have as much of an important role in the online gambling sector as the rest of the suggestions. Now, here are the most popular gambling products in states where online casinos are legal:

Blackjack at Missouri Online Casinos

Missouri online gambling laws prohibit all forms of online gaming products on the territory of the state. As a result, local blackjack enthusiasts cannot legally play their favorite casino game online. It is considered a game of chance as much as it is a game of skill, and thus it breaches the statutes of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

Still, the riverboat casinos can offer you heaps of blackjack fun if you find yourself along the banks of the Mississippi or Missouri rivers. Otherwise, states like New Jersey, where online gambling is legal, can offer players a wide range of blackjack variations, including American Blackjack and 21+3 Blackjack.

Online Roulette in Missouri

If blackjack is viewed as a game of chance – to a certain extent, of course – then online roulette is the definition of it. As you might have figured, it too is completely forbidden to play as per the laws of online gambling in Missouri. Again, MO roulette fans would have to sit on the bench and watch from afar, as the states where online roulette is legal thrive.

Roulette is an all-time favorite, and the unavailability of online roulette in Missouri is quite sad. Games like Single Zero Roulette and High Stakes Roulette have immense popularity in Pennsylvania and Nevada. We are sure that once the ball starts rolling and the Missourian government moves forward with legalizing the sector, they will become local favorites, too.

Online Casino Slots in the Show-Me State

If you want to play online slots, you would have to break the laws of online gambling in Missouri. Well, at least until the government takes action towards legalizing them in their online form. The floating casinos can offer you a decent amount of reel machine action. However, their inconvenience is undeniable, especially when you don’t have the logistics and time to drive to one of them.

States, where online gambling is legal, have the opportunity to place bets on some of the most beloved slot machines that enjoy worldwide popularity. Games like Starburst and Divine Fortune would surely thrill gamblers should online slots in Missouri become legal sometimes In the future. The Missourian government should take notes from Delaware and Michigan.

Prospects of Playing Online Poker in Missouri

It may not come as a surprise, but similarly to other gambling products, digital poker is unavailable, much like the online casinos in Missouri. An abundance of laws and regulations prohibit it from happening. Online poker is yet another victim of the strict regulations, thanks to which Missourian gambling fans have to enjoy as spectators from a far distance.

We are certain that eventually, the prospects of playing at a real money online casino in Missouri will be favorable and legal. Once the moment arrives, local MO poker aficionados will be on equal grounds with fans from other more liberal states and have access to great online poker Missouri titles, such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha Poker, Caribbean Stud, and more.

Overview of Land-Based Casinos in Missouri

While it came up several times earlier in the guide, it’s worth mentioning again that despite the lack of Missouri online casinos, options exist for locals to satisfy their gaming cravings. The Show-Me State is home to twelve riverboat casinos, and each one of them is properly equipped to meet the needs of its demanding visitors.

It may not sound like much, but believe us, you will be impressed with each one the minute you set foot on deck. They offer the full board of amenities you would expect from regular land-based casinos in Missouri if they were to exist. Above all, each one boasts enough games to keep your adrenaline levels at an all-time high for hours at a time.

Missouri Land-Based Casinos Overview
Fred Williams Author and Casino Expert
Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas city 🍒 2200+ slot machines, 🃏 66 table games
Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa 🍒 1500 slot machines, 🃏 38 table games
Century Casino Cape Girardeau 🍒 900+ slot machines, 🃏 21 table games

Land-Based Venues VS Online Casinos in Missouri

If the Missouri online gambling laws allowed digital operators to exist, it would have been interesting to see which option would draw more Missourian gamblers. On the one hand, you have the chance to walk into an authentic gaming space full of people, croupiers, music, chatters, and pure fun.

On the other hand, online casinos in Missouri would be so much easier to access. You exclude any possible commutes, which is a game-changer for Missourians that value their time. Also, the bonuses you get online are much more rewarding than the ones in their land-based counterparts.


What Does the Future Hold for Online Casinos in Missouri?

Generally speaking, the US government is moving very slow on any online gambling-related piece of legislation. It’s nice to have the riverboat casinos be legal and available for locals to visit. However, they are limited to certain locations, which makes it rather inconvenient for gamblers to visit.

As of this moment, several bills have been proposed that should shake things up a bit and possibly pave the way for Missouri online casinos in the future. Yet, almost no action is taken, and no dates are set for them to be looked through and voted on by the state government.


The Future of Entire Gambling Sector in Missouri

With this well-established and relatively slow pace of getting things into motion gambling-wise, we are a bit sceptical about any pending shifts. A statement that’s applicable for the entire sector in the state of Missouri, not just its online part. The riverboat casinos are legit, as are the Lottery and the social casinos, which is good enough.

However, local residents want to see the casino industry grow, become more accessible, and thrive in the state. That is only possible if the Missouri online gambling laws undergo active changes. So, for the time being, it does appear that we must keep all hopes at bay.


Final Thoughts: It’s a No-Go to Bet at Real Money Online Casino in Missouri

If the government pushes new bills and legalizes the online sector, this will give the locals access to a whole new realm of gambling possibilities. Missourians will be able to play online roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat, crap, and digital slots, all under one roof and by the thousands.

Yet, it seems unlikely at this point for online casinos Missouri to thrive, at least for the next five years to a decade. Unexpected things happen, and we remain hopeful that MO players will get to enjoy online casino games sooner rather than later, similar to the US states where the sector has been legalized already.

Online gambling in Missouri is illegal, and there are no prospects of seeing any positive shifts that would legalize it in the near future.
Fred Williams Author and Casino Expert

Common Questions About the Online Casinos in Missouri

As a closing to our guide to online casinos in Missouri and their current status in the state, we have included a short and informative FAQ section. It includes some of the most common questions that Missourians have and seek an answer to around the web.

👮 Are Missouri online casinos legal?
Unfortunately, online casinos in Missouri are illegal. There have been some notable efforts to push several bills to change their current status. However, none of them has come to fruition to this point in time, which doesn’t bode well for the sector's future prospects.
🤔 Are social casino sites an option if online gambling in Missouri is illegal?
While Missouri online gambling laws prohibit players from playing at digital casinos, several social casinos exist in the state. Despite being quite different in nature – mostly because you can’t score wins with them – they still serve as a nice way to play your favorite games and practice.
📍 How do I spot a fake Missouri online casino?
While online gambling is illegal for Missourians land-based casinos have been legalized most notably on riverboats. It’s impossible to open a casino in the state without a license from the Missouri Gaming Control Board. Therefore, we can assure you that each venue will be legit and safe.
⚖️ What do the Missouri online gambling laws allow in the state?
The local Missourian gambling laws come in all shapes and sizes. Some sectors are legal, while others have yet to receive such status. Online gambling and sports betting are illegal. However, a dozen riverboat casinos offer the full range of Missouri casino games that will thrill all of your gambling senses.