Historically 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. The authorities stopped turning a blind eye to all of the action in 1905, and they criminalized all bookmaking operations.

Legal gambling was re-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.

Missouri Gambling Law Summary

When Missouri online sports betting becomes legal, it’s likely that licenses will be granted to these operators first. As for other potential Missouri online sports betting operators, we’re yet to see who will. Missouri Online Casinos While you can play slots and table games on riverboat casinos in MO, online casinos in Missouri are strictly banned. This also means that as a resident of the state, you are not.

Missouri Revised Statutes define gambling as “staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or future contingent event.” While this definition was drafted before the advent of online gambling, it is generic enough to cover most activities of this kind. Furthermore, since Missouri lawmakers have not passed any iGaming regulations yet, local businesses are prohibited from operating any gambling sites under the federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Engaging in illegal gambling as a player is considered a Class C misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $750 and up to fifteen 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

As is often the case in the United States, Missouri law is very complicated and ambiguous when it comes to gambling. Section 572 of the Missouri code prohibits participating in unlicensed games of chance hosted within the borders of the state, except social gaming. However, the law doesn’t even mention internet games of chance, and the state never tried bringing misdemeanor charges of this kind against an online gambler, so many experts believe that playing on offshore sites is perfectly legal.

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 casinos 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 does not have a regulated online casino industry. Playing over the internet is prohibited and is likely to be classified as a Class C or Class A misdemeanor.

Missouri Poker

Six Missouri riverboat casinos offer competitive poker. These casinos 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.

Missouri does not have any online poker regulations. Engaging in online play for money within state lines is illegal and constitutes a Class C or Class A misdemeanor, depending on the amount of money involved.

Missouri Sports 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. These restrictions also apply to off-track betting facilities and online OTB platforms, such as TwinSpires and XpressBet. As a result, while theoretically legal, horse race betting is currently unavailable to Missouri residents.

Sports betting is still illegal, but this is likely to change over the next few years. In 2018, the local lawmakers introduced six new sports betting bills. Three of those bills were presented in the House (HB 2320, HB 2406, HB 2535), and three were proposed in the Senate (SB 767, SB 1009, SB 1013). None of the proposals have made it very far, as the legislators seem to be somewhat divided when it comes to integrity fees. As proposed by Sen. Denny Hoskins, these fees would take the form of quarterly payments to professional sports leagues. This ongoing issue makes it unlikely any bill will reach the Governor’s desk in the foreseeable future.

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. There have been two attempts to update the bill in 2017 and 2018, but the proposals have not gained any traction in the House.

As it stands, Missouri residents are free to participate in paid-entry DFS contests on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Yahoo has not applied for a Missouri license, so its DFS service is not available in the Show-Me State.

Missouri Lotteries

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 4 minutes), and pull-tabs. 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 as long as registered charities offer it. 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 Online Gambling FAQ

What types of gambling are available in Missouri?

Missouri is best known among gambling enthusiasts for its riverboat casinos, but the state also operates its own lottery and has a few Indian casinos. Unfortunately, there are no racetracks in Missouri, so the locals can’t engage in pari-mutuel betting. Intrastate online gambling hasn’t been regulated, so Missouri businesses aren’t allowed to operate any iGaming sites.

What laws cover online gambling in Missouri?

Most forms of real money gambling are regulated by Section 572 of the Missouri code. It’s worth remembering that even though none of those regulations refer to online gambling directly, the local law enforcement officials could argue that some of them extend to internet games. Fortunately, this has never been the case in the past, which allows us to conclude that getting some poker or casino action online is perfectly safe for Missouri residents.

Is real money online gambling legal in Missouri?

The legal status of online gambling might be considered a little ambiguous. However, there are no regulations explicitly prohibiting Missouri residents from playing real money games online, and the state doesn’t seem to be interested in discouraging the local gambling enthusiasts from using offshore iGaming platforms.

Which offshore gambling sites accept Missouri residents?

Although Missouri doesn’t have clear-cut gambling laws, most sites have absolutely no qualms about accepting Missouri residents.

What are the most popular banking options supported by Missouri -facing sites?

The deposit method we recommend for Missouri -based gamblers is to use a Visa credit or debit card. Please note that offshore sites don’t support domestic-only cards, so you’ll have to make sure that your card has been cleared for international transactions. When it comes to withdrawing your winnings, we recommend sticking to bank wire transfers.

Does Missouri offer any intrastate online gambling?

No. Unlike New Jersey and Nevada, Missouri is yet to establish a local real money internet gaming market. People in Missouri don’t have any local iGaming services to pick from.

Is it likely for Missouri to regulate online gambling?

Missouri isn’t likely to become one of the pioneers of online gambling, but the local legislators guaranteed to regulate online gambling if more states decide to go in Nevada’s footsteps by opening their own local iGaming markets.

Missouri is home to five major professional sports teams. More than six
million people reside here, many of which love placing wagers on their favorite
sports. Unfortunately, a huge number of people have no idea how to bet sports online.
That’s what we are here for! Our team of experts is going to explain how you can
find the best Missouri sports betting sites operating today.

For those new to online sports betting in Missouri, it may seem a little daunting trying to
choose a great online sportsbook to join. We are going to break down four of the
most important features to look for in a sports betting website.

Later on, we’re going over the current laws and regulations surrounding
internet sports betting here. Missouri’s stance on sports betting looks good,
and we’ll explain what to expect in the future.

Do want to skip all this and get straight to the betting? No problem. Below
are our favorite sports betting sites in Missouri available right now.
Check them out today!

Here’s What to Look for in Missouri Sports Betting Sites

Sports fans in this state have access to some of the very best online betting
websites in the country. Finding a fantastic website to bet online in Missouri is easy! There
are a few simple features that all sports betting sites in Missouri should
always provide.

Our team has looked at hundreds of different online betting sites over the
years. We have come up with a unique system to tell a good sportsbook from a bad
one. As long as the websites that you are looking at provide the features below,
they’re probably solid.

Safe and Transparent Payment System

The most important thing that an online betting website should always provide
is safety. The payment systems of these sites should always provide security.
Fortunately, this is a very easy thing to look into!

We recommend that you head over to our guide on
finding the safest sports betting sites.
We have looked at almost all of the top Missouri sports betting sites
currently operating. In each review, we go over these website’s payment options.
If we come across anything unusual or shady, we’ll let you know about it.

It’s also a great idea to check out these websites for yourself. Almost all
legit sports betting sites in Missouri will clearly list which
payment options are available. They should also list the fees associated with
both deposits and withdrawals.

Find a sports betting website in Missouri that allows deposits to be made using both debit and
credit cards. Withdrawal options are a little more limited. The majority of all
US betting sites only allow for Bitcoin payouts. Fortunately, Bitcoin
withdrawals come with extremely low fees and are processed within just a few
days.

For more information on gambling online with bitcoin, check out our bitcoin gambling sites page.

This is, without a doubt, the most important thing you want your site to have when betting online in Missouri.
You may find a site offering amazing odds on a variety of
different sports, but if it doesn’t provide you with safety, it’s not worth
joining.

Helpful Customer Service Options

Why is customer support one of the most important things to look for in
sports betting sites in Missouri? It’s simple. The state of Missouri has not yet
regulated its sports gambling market. That means that if you ever encounter an
issue with your gambling experience, you will need to rely on the website that
you play at to help you out.

This is why it’s so important to find a betting company that will always have
your back. Today, most of these companies provide a range of different support
options. Some are known to be better than others.

In our opinion, a live chat feature is the most helpful right now. This
allows you to speak directly with a customer service representative instantly
over text chat. Some Missouri betting websites also allow for direct phone
line support, which is fantastic.

We generally advise that you avoid sports betting sites in Missouri only providing email
support. More often than not, this form of customer service will take weeks to
always help you out. Make sure to only play at sports betting sites in
Missouri that provide direct, helpful customer support options every
single day.

Modern Design and User Interface

Once you’ve found a few betting sites that provide safe payment options and a
great customer support system, you should look at the website’s design and
overall user interface. Design may not seem all that important. In reality,
though, the design of these online Missouri sportsbooks will affect your entire gambling
experience.

For obvious reasons, this is probably the easiest thing to look for in a
betting site. Almost all sports betting sites in MO will allow
you to check them out before you signing up. You can look at the homepages of
these sites and learn a lot about how they are set up.

Everyone has a different design preference. Some bettors prefer simplistic
websites that only provide a limited amount of betting options. Others love
complex sites with thousands of different betting options and promotion offers.

You will want to ensure that it’s easy to actually make bets through these online Missouri
sportsbooks. It’s also a great idea to look through a few different pages to
make sure nothing crashes. US sportsbooks have improved a lot over the years.
Make sure you find one with a great design.

Odds on the Sports You Plan to Bet On

You might be surprised to find out how many people join a sports betting
website without even looking at which odds are available! Never make this
mistake. It’s important to make sure that before you join any online sportsbook,
you look at exactly which betting odds are available.

The majority of Missouri sports betting sites offer thousands of different
odds every single day. If you’re a hardcore Chiefs fan, look for a Missouri online
sportsbook that provides a range of NFL odds. If you love the Cardinals, join a
website providing MLB odds for every game of the regular and postseason.

Compare the odds between a few different sites. It’s well-known that some
sites provide more lucrative odds than others. The better these odds are, the
better your chances are to cash out.

Some sports betting sites in Missouri allow their members to
bet on random things such as politics and entertainment. If you feel so
inclined, check out a few of the fun novelty betting options available at these
sites.

Why Are Internet Sports Betting Sites in Missouri Growing so Popular?

This is the case around the entire country! Sports betting has been on the
rise for months. Back in May of 2018, the US Supreme Court
struck down PASPA. This allows every state in the country to set its own
laws on sports gambling.

A number of states have outright legalized this industry. Many more have
introduced legislation to do the same. The popularity of sports gambling has
never been stronger.

It’s clear that MO sports betting sites are growing more popular. We wanted
to know exactly why. We asked a number of bettors here why they choose to make
their wagers over the internet. There are two responses we continued to hear.

Most Convenient Way to Make Sports Bets

Without sports betting regulation, there aren’t many options to safely place
bets in Missouri. You can either bet through an illegal bookie on the ground or
through one of the many sports betting sites operating right now. Most will
agree that the online route is significantly more convenient.

Missouri is a fairly large state. It can be difficult trying to track down a
local bookie here just to make some wagers. Online sportsbooks allow you to make
bets from anywhere in the state with an internet connection.

Most of these Missouri sports betting sites are very safe as well. As long as
you play through a site that provides the features we listed above, you will
have a safe and fun online sports betting experience.

Massive Range of Different Wagering Options

At some point, lawmakers in Missouri may decide to allow sportsbooks inside
of brick-and-mortar casinos. Even if that happens, these land-based sportsbooks
will not provide as many wagering options as the top Missouri sports
betting sites. There are simply more possible betting options available
online.

The best internet sportsbooks operating today provide a massive range of
different wagering options on a daily basis. This includes odds on all major
sports, as well as international sports taking place around the world.

Even the most hardcore bettors will find something to bet on online. As we
mentioned earlier, some of these sites even provide wagering options on things
like politics! Check out the sports betting sites in Missouri that we recommend
at the top of this page to see exactly what’s available.

Are Missouri Sports Betting Sites Actually Lawful Right Now?

For the most part, Missouri has taken a pro-gambling stance. Since PASPA was
struck down, a number of lawmakers here have been pushing for regulated sports
betting. The first step was in the form of a bill introduced back in January of
2018.

Before we get into that, let’s look at how this state defines gambling:

Online Betting Real Money

“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.”

“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.”

As you can see, this is a little confusing. “Device or activity involved”
is translated as online gambling to some. Others feel these laws are not clear
enough to say that sports betting sites in Missouri are completely banned.

In early 2018, a bill was introduced here to fully legalize sports betting
inside the state’s casinos. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass in its first
legislative stage. At the beginning of 2019, a number of new sports betting
bills were introduced. Lawmakers are waiting to hear how Missouri politicians
feel about the bill’s terms and conditions.

Will I Be Prosecuted For Playing at Missouri Sports Betting Sites?

It’s very unlikely. The specific legality of online sports betting in
Missouri lies in a gray area. Fortunately, this state has shown no
willingness to go after those caught making sports wagers online. Our team has
not found a single case of anyone facing legal trouble for playing at sports
betting sites in Missouri.

How Can I Stay Safe Playing at Sports Betting Sites in Missouri?

The entire US gambling industry has improved dramatically over the years. For
a time, only a few betting websites were available in the country, most of which
featured outdated designs and only a few wagering options. Today, many of the
very best gambling companies operate here.

Staying safe while playing at Missouri sports betting sites is easy. As long
as you follow a few simple rules, your gambling experience online will be fun
and, hopefully, profitable! Below are five of our tips to always follow while
betting over the internet.

Play Through Reputable, Well-Known Betting Websites

This is without a doubt the easiest way to stay safe online. There are some
amazing sports betting sites in Missouri available right now, all of which take
their player’s security extremely seriously. Make sure that before you sign up
to any site, it provides great payment options and helpful customer service.

Be Willing to Change Websites

This is another important thing to consider. We hope that by this point, you
have the knowledge to find an amazing online sportsbook. If, however, you
realize that the site you have joined just isn’t cutting it, change to another!
The sites that we recommend are the best online sportsbooks in Missouri.
To keep things simple, join one of these websites and see why they’re so
popular.

Never Bet More Than You Can Afford to Lose

This is a common one. Online sports betting is extremely fun. It’s so fun, in
fact, that many bettors accidentally bet more money than they can afford to
lose. Don’t be one of these people! Make sure to always track exactly how much
money you are betting. If you realize that you are spending too much, take a
break for a few weeks.

Understand the Details of Every Promotion Offer You Come Across

Promotions are great. In case you’re unaware, these are simply bonus offers
that gambling sites provide to their members. Generally speaking, they come in
the form of a first-deposit bonus. Occasionally, these sites make it difficult
for you to withdraw your winnings. Make sure that before you utilize any of
these offers, you look at what terms are set. The best sports betting sites for online betting in Missouri
will always clearly list the conditions of every promotion they offer. If you still have any more questions on bonuses or promotions,
we suggest you head over to our sports betting bonuses page to answer any further questions.

Never Give out Your Betting Account Information

Online Horse Betting In Missouri

You should think of your betting account as a bank account. In reality, these
sites are connected to your bank account! Make sure you always keep your account
information private. Anyone with access to this information can make wagers
without your knowledge. It’s also a good idea to change your betting account
password from time to time.

FAQ on Online Sports Betting in Missouri

What Are the Most Popular Missouri Sports Betting Sites Right Now?

Most of the best sports betting websites in the country are available in this
state. That’s a great thing for the huge number of sports fans here. From what
we have found, the most popular sports betting sites in Missouri right now are
Bovada Sportsbook and MyBookie.ag.

What Are the Best Ways to Win at Online Sports Betting?

Everyone has a different strategy while betting on sports. For new bettors,
the best thing you can do is to research the sports you plan to bet on. Most
Missouri sports betting sites offer thousands of different betting odds every
single day. We recommend that you only bet on sports you understand. The more
experience you gain while betting, the better your chances will be to win.

How Much Money Can I Win Betting Online at Missouri Betting Sites?

The best online sportsbooks in Missouri do not set limits on
how much money their players can win. As we just mentioned, your chances to win
will be better as you gain more experience.

Can You Gamble Online In Missouri

What Sports Can I Bet Online in Missouri?

There are a massive number of different wagering options. Sports betting
sites in Missouri provide their members with thousands of different betting
options every single day. You’ll find odds on all major US sporting events, as
well as other events taking place around the world.

Why Should I Play at Missouri Sports Betting Sites?

The choice to make sports bets online is always yours! Lawmakers in Missouri
seem very willing to embrace this industry. It seems likely that within a few
years, sports betting will be completely legal throughout the state.

Conclusion

It’s great to see Missouri starting to embrace the sports betting industry.
It’s clear that lawmakers here are interested in legalizing this state’s
markets. Most experts believe that within a few years, both land-based
sportsbooks and Missouri sports betting sites will be completely legal here.

There are already a huge number of amazing internet sportsbooks in Missouri right
now. We recommend that you check out the ones at the top of the page. Each one
is known for providing great odds and safe payment options. Head over to our
gambling blog page to find
expert betting tips on major sporting events taking place around the world. Good
luck placing your bets!