Legal Gambling in Missouri can be accomplished numerous ways. Legal Missouri Online Casinos are the most popular form of Legal Gambling for Missouri Residents. In addition, Legal Sports Betting in Missouri is acceptable. You can head to Branson Landing, Tanger Outlets, or The Shoppes at Branson Meadows to shop for the perfect souvenir. Branson is known for its entertainment venues, museums, and live music, and you can check out cultural spots such as Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction and The Mansion.

Missouri has always had a favorable stance concerning gambling. In 2019, Missouri showed interest in joining other US states that permit legal sports betting by introducing multiple pieces of legislation related to legalizing domestic sports wagering.

If passed, MO players would be able to wager on sports through venues licensed by the state in addition to having access to bet through online sportsbooks that operate outside of the US and legally accept bettors from Missouri. Currently, offshore sportsbooks make up the bulk of Missouri's available sports betting options.

Is Sports Betting Legal In Missouri?

Missouri hasn't authorized domestic sports wagering as of yet but is considering legislation to permit this expanded form of gambling. Until some kind of legal sports wagering law is passed, offshore sportsbooks are the best option for MO sports fans seeking betting action without having to travel to another state.

Interestingly enough the state does not have any explicit laws against offshore sports gambling. In addition, US federal laws do not prohibit access to offshore sports betting sites either. Offshore sportsbooks are outside US jurisdiction and cannot be limited due to free trade laws.

Missouri Sports Betting Bills

Missouri has introduced seven bills relevant to sports betting in an attempt to legalize domestic sports wagering within their borders. The 2019 legislative session ended with all seven bills remaining in committee and nothing making it to the finish line.

Several of the pieces of legislation underwent amending concerning integrity fees, tax rates and various other components of the bills, yet no consensus was reached. We anticipate that lawmakers will give it another go next session. To learn more about these bills you can visit our US bill tracker page.

Missouri Sports Betting Legislative Hearings

Best Online Sportsbooks For Missouri Residents

Our team has pinpointed which brands are best for US bettors to use. These offshore sportsbooks have been in the business for many years and have established strong reputations.

You can get more information on each of these brands from our detailed and reviews of legal online sportsbooks.

MO Sports Betting Details

Below are available details on Missouri's current sports betting market.

• Legal Sports Betting: Offshore Only
• Missouri Minimum Sports Betting Age: 18 years old (via Offshore)
• Land-Based Sportsbooks: TBD
• Online Sportsbook: Offshore Only
• Mobile Betting App: Offshore Only
• In-Play/Live Betting: Offshore Only
• Estimated Revenue: TBD
• Eligible Operators: TBD
• Licensing Fee: TBD
• Tax Rate: TBD
• Tax-Funded: TBD

What You Can Bet On In Missouri:

• All betting lines, odds, and props for all games, teams, and players in Missouri for professional and collegiate teams (via Offshore)

What You Can't Bet On In Missouri:

• No restrictions (via Offshore)

Where Can I Bet On Sports In Missouri?

State-regulated sportsbooks are not yet legally authorized. Nonetheless, offshore sportsbooks are available for MO residents who want to conveniently wager within their state without violating any laws. The offshore sportsbooks recommended on this page were picked for their quality offerings, payout speed, and security.

Biggest Sports Betting Cities In Missouri

St. Louis

St. Louis features the Cardinals and Blues. The Cardinals play in the National League Central division and finished third at the end of last season. Their last World Series win came in 2011, so they have not been successful in recent years.

Betting lines are available for both teams throughout their respective seasons.

Kansas City

Kansas City plays home to the Royals (MLB) and Chiefs (NFL). The Royals finished their season third in the American League Central and will look to retain their star players in the offseason. They haven’t won a World Series since 1985. The Chiefs played hard in the 2019-2020 season and are headed to Super Bowl 54 to face off against the San Francisco 49ers. Currently, the Chiefs are favored in the betting odds.

Residents can bet on both teams through the licensed offshore sportsbooks recommended in this guide.

Columbia

The University of Missouri (Mizzou) Tigers play in the tough SEC. Their football team has been successful in the past, but are currently struggling with their fierce conference opponents. Their men’s basketball program has made NCAA March Madness appearances in the past and will look to reach the coveted tournament again this upcoming season.

College betting lines are also available through the same sports betting destinations listed in this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Sports Betting

Will I Get Arrested for Betting on Sports in Missouri?

Players who wager with MO-based unlicensed and unregulated sportsbooks will likely be charged with illegal gambling. However, state laws concerning this typically target the operator of the sportsbook. Alternatively, sports gambling through offshore sportsbooks doesn't violate existing state or federal laws.

Are Mobile Sports Betting Apps Legal in Missouri?

There are no state-licensed and authorized mobile sports betting options in the state at this point in time. However, offshore sportsbooks offer mobile sports wagering capabilities which are legally accessible for MO players to use.

What Teams Can I Bet on in Missouri?

Residents would possibly be able to bet on notable state-based professional and college teams such as the St. Louis Cardinals (MLB), Kansas City Royals (MLB), Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), St. Louis Blues (NHL) or the University of Missouri Tigers through domestic sportsbooks.

However, since no legislation has passed yet detailing whether or not local teams would be authorized for domestic sports wagering the best option is to utilize offshore sportsbooks, which have no restrictions on the teams MO players can wager on.

Are There Any Local Sportsbooks in Missouri?

Missouri has yet to authorize domestic sports wagering and thus does not license any MO-based sportsbook operation. MO-based bookies and sportsbooks currently in operation are unlicensed and unregulated thus illegal and in violation of state laws.

What is the Legal Minimum Sports Betting Age in Missouri?

Missouri has yet to establish a sports gambling law which would detail the minimum acceptable sports wagering age. Some US states with legal sports wagering have set their minimum gambling age at 21, while others chose to set theirs at 18.

In addition, offshore sportsbooks typically accept players as young as eighteen and these are currently available to MO players.

Missouri Legislative Resources

Missouri residents interested in showing their support for domestic sports gambling options, tracking current bills, or getting in touch with their representatives can use the following resources to meet their needs.

Missouri Gambling Resources

At sportsbetting.legal we encourage all Mo players to gamble responsibly. If you feel you or someone you know is developing signs of gambling addiction we strongly suggest you reach the local resources recommended by the Missouri Department of Health Compulsive Gambling Treatment Programs.

Missouri News

• California, Missouri failed to legalize sports betting before Super Bowl 2020

  Missouri has always had a favorable stance concerning gambling. In 2019, Missouri showed interest...

• Legal sports betting breakdown for the week of December 9

  Missouri has always had a favorable stance concerning gambling. In 2019, Missouri showed interest...

• Legal sports betting breakdown for the week of November 11

  Missouri has always had a favorable stance concerning gambling. In 2019, Missouri showed interest...

• Legal sports betting breakdown for the week of October 28

  Missouri has always had a favorable stance concerning gambling. In 2019, Missouri showed interest...

• Missouri Sports Betting Bills Move To Committee

  Missouri has always had a favorable stance concerning gambling. In 2019, Missouri showed interest...

An Overview Of The Gambling Laws In The State Of Missouri

Missouri was part of riverboat casino history during the 19th century, and voted to bring back the boats in 1992. While they no longer sail, the casino industry is alive and well in this State, with 16 venues to choose from. Alternative gambling formats include a popular lottery and charitable gambling games like bingo and raffles. This article looks in depth at the gambling laws of Missouri.

First of all below I have put the current legal situation into historical context with a quick-fire overview of the history of Missouri gambling. After this you can find a list of the most popular gambling formats, along with a current legal status. Next some more detailed information can be seen, in the form of excerpts from the statutes and a legal timeline – before this page ends with a summary and look at the future.

Missouri Gambling Laws – A Brief History

When the riverboat casinos of history fizzled out at the end of the 1800’s, Missouri would enter a long period where the only gambling was underground. While pari-mutuel betting on horse racing was permitted, there were no racetracks – so this was only possible at summer fairs on amateur races.

The first new gambling was for charity, with the introduction on Bingo halls and raffles for good causes and non-profits in 1980. This remains an important part of Minnesota’s gaming landscape to this day. In 1986, the first draw was made on the current State lottery – which now includes multi-State games like the PowerBall. Around $3 billion has been raised for good causes since the inception of the lottery – much of it being channeled towards education.

After many quiet years, things exploded in Missouri after a law was passed in 1992 allowing for the return of the riverboat casinos. Initially, these needed to be moving, however after a collision caused safety concerns, this was relaxed – and now all of the 16 running are docked. These are not just small boats, some big and lavish casinos are available – many including table games and poker rooms too. One interesting quirk in the casino laws is a $500 loss limit per player. The casinos did not like this, as obviously it stopped them benefiting from the patronage of high rollers. This was voted against in a 2008 referendum which also increased the taxation on casinos in order to give more to good causes.

Home poker games are permitted under strict terms that the ‘social’ element is present as well as the usual stipulation of nobody raking from the games or charging to host them. If you do not know the other participants in the game socially then you could be in trouble. Penalties exist in the statutes for merely playing in illegal gambling games, and not just organizing them. Fortunately MO does not have a history of raiding these games.

One final quirk in the gambling laws of Missouri, you really can‘t become a professional gambler in this State. Merely making 20% of your income in a year puts you into the ‘pro’ category – and you are now a criminal!

Missouri Gambling Laws – What Forms Of Gambling Are Currently Legal?

Casino Games: Yes, there are a wide choice of riverboat casinos in Missouri, most of these are static nowadays, and offer a wide range of slots and table games.

Online Casinos: No, as usual no internet specific wording is included in the statutes, however the general definitions are considered enough.

Live Poker: There are plenty of poker rooms at the riverboat casinos. Home games are permitted, though the rules are very strict as far as nobody taking a rake or making a profit goes. Strictly speaking, you need to have a social relationship with others in the game, though there is no legal definition provided as to exactly what this means.

Online Poker: No, there are no indications that regulated online poker is being considered. There is also no anti-regulation movement, so success of other States could initiate this debate.

Sports Betting: Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing is allowed at county fairs – there are no racetracks in Missouri.

Lottery Betting: Yes, Missouri has a State lottery which supports good causes including education.

Bingo Games: Yes, there is a carve-out for charity bingo and raffles.

Missouri Gambling Laws – Timeline And Key Statutes

Missouri are on the stricter side compared to other States when it comes to their gambling laws. Interestingly there is little legal protection for being a ‘mere player’ in this State – with the potential for felony charges just for participating in an illegal activity. This State also seems to frown on professional gamblers, who are singled out for criminalization on a very broad definition of 20% of yearly income. Owning a wide range of gambling devices is also punishable under the MO law.

Here is the general definition of gambling, which uses the ‘game of chance’ as its central definition.

[su_quote]”Gambling”, 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. “ (572.010)[/su_quote]

I’m sure poker fans will be rubbing their hands waiting to play the ‘Skill Game!’ card, unfortunately this has already been tried in this State and poker is considered to be a game of chance here.

Here is the definition of a professional player, a crime under the MO statutes:

[su_quote]”Professional player” means a player who engages in gambling for a livelihood or who has derived at least twenty percent of his income in any one year within the past five years from acting solely as a player;”[/su_quote]

Here is the timeline of significant legal events in the history of Missouri:

1980: Bingo games for charity first made legal.

1985: Lottery becomes law, with the first draw taking place a year later in 1986, there are now many multi-State lottery games available. Proceeds are channeled into education.

1992: Riverboat casinos return after an amendment makes them legal under strict criteria that they are under sail and a cap of $500 losses per player. After some incidents on the water, these boats were allowed to remain docked.

1993: Missouri Gaming Commission created to oversee all forms of gambling within the State.

Is Gambling Legal In Branson Missouri Attractions

1994: Charity gambling bought under the control of a newly created ‘Charitable Games Division’ of the Missouri Gaming Commission.

2008: A referendum on ‘Proposition A’ increasing taxes on casinos and removing the $500 loss limit passes with 56.2% of the vote.

Missouri Gambling Laws – Summary And Look To The Future

Is Gambling Legal In Branson Missouri Casinos

There are some good opportunities to gamble in Missouri, with the riverboat casinos offering a full range of table games and poker. Outside of these establishments, your options are kind of limited – unless you enjoy charity bingo nights or lottery games that is.

There is no current bill covering internet gambling or poker games, and no public discussion from lawmakers as to when this might happen. Missouri is not anti-gambling – as their casinos show – however they have not yet shown any interest in innovating, sticking with the tried and tested historical riverboat theme. This state is at best a wait-and-see for future online gambling regulation.

Useful Resources:

Full Statutes

Summary Of Statutes

Riverboat Gambling Timeline

Gaming Division History

• http://www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/GD/documents/HistoryofGamingDivision_004.pdf

Gaming Commission

Is Gambling Legal In Branson Missouri Real Estate

Proposition A Info