Louise | February 24, 2020 | Updated on: December 21st, 2023
When we think about the Show-Me State, casinos in Missouri are first to come to find. The gambling scene is on its rivers Missouri offers a good range of gambling options, but little has been done to expand the gambling laws to expand the types of gambling available.
We take you through a list of Missouri casinos and some history on the riverboat casinos in Missouri. Please read our guide to find the legal gambling age in MO and insight on online gaming in this state.
Best Casino in Missouri
What you’ll find on this Missouri Gambling Guide
- Best Casino in Missouri
- Missouri Casinos & Gambling Data
- Riverboat Casinos in Missouri
- Missouri Casinos
- Missouri Gaming Commission
- Gambling Laws
- Online Gambling
- Missouri Gambling History
- List of Missouri casinos
- FAQs about Missouri Gambling
Missouri Casinos & Gambling Data
- Year Missouri Regulated Gambling Types: Lottery (1984), Horseracing (1984), Casinos (1992) and Bingo (1994)
- Estimated Tax Revenue: $620 million
- Estimated Gambling Revenue: $3 billion
- Missouri Legal Gambling Age: 16 for charity games, 21 for casinos and 18 for lottery and races
- Online gambling in Missouri: No legal online gambling
Riverboat Casinos in Missouri
The only type of casinos in MO are riverboat casinos. These casinos are all located near water. Missouri was the fifth state to allow gambling after a 1992 referendum allowed for the creation of riverboat casinos.
Nowadays, the riverboat casinos no longer have to cruise for gamblers to enjoy blackjack, poker, or any other casino game. Most of the casinos are built on a barge. This gives them the appearance of a brick and mortar casino as opposed to a riverboat.
Missouri Casinos
While Missouri only has riverboat casinos, these casinos are spread across the state nicely. The best part is the casinos no longer need to be cruising to offer legal gambling. There are 13 regulated casinos offering a combined total of over 400 table games, 19 000 slots, and 100 poker tables.
Casinos in Branson, Missouri
Branson is one of the biggest cities in Missouri, but it has no casinos. As a family vacation destination, it would be an excellent location for casinos. But, you will have to look to Oklahoma if you want to gamble while in Branson. The closest casinos are the Indigo Sky Casino and Grove Grand Lake Casino.
Casinos in Joplin, Missouri
Another great destination in MO is Joplin. The closest casinos to the city are about three hours away. But if you aren’t willing to drive such as distance, you can cross the state border to Oklahoma to play your most loved casino games.
Downstream Casino Resort in an Indian casino that is only 20 miles from the Joplin, and it offers slots, table games, and a poker room.
Missouri Gaming Commission
In the 20th century, the Missouri Gaming Commission was formed after the lottery and charity bingo were legalized. The commission regulates charitable and commercial gaming in all 13 casinos in the state. Casinos are required to pay 21% tax on all winnings.
In MO, legal games include baccarat, craps, blackjack, poker, slots, bingo, pai gow, and various other titles. All casino games have to be played on riverboat casinos, and you will have to pay a 2% admissions tax.
The lottery and horse racing are also allowed, but two other commissions run them. To bet on horses or play the lottery, you will have to 18 and over. The gambling age for bingo is 16 and above, To play at a casino, you will have to 21 and above.
Gambling Laws
Gambling laws in Missouri permit numerous types of gambling. All gambling institutions must be licensed by the state. This includes charities, which must be registered. A charity can offer bingo and raffles only if spread by a religious, veterans or fraternal organization. The charity also must have existed for about two years before spreading these gambling games.
Online Gambling
Similar to many other states, online gambling in Missouri is not completely outlawed. It operates in a gray area as there are no laws explicitly stating online gaming is illegal.
However, according to the existing gambling laws, the state believes operating an internet casino site within state borders is unlawful.
But that does not mean that you won’t be able to enjoy your favorite casino games from your phone or tablet. You can still play at offshore casino sites. However, ensure these sites are regulated by trusted authorities and accept Missourians.
There are also social internet casinos that offer slots and table games, but they don’t offer much chance to win real money. The only real chance you and winning at these casinos is if you enter a sweepstakes and hit a cash jackpot.
Missouri Gambling History
Modern bookmaking in Missouri began in 1984. That time, there were two kinds of gambling which dated back to the state’s early days. Horse racing started in the 1750s. By 1800, there were about 20 racetracks in St. Louis. Bets were accepted through the gray area bookmaking operations. Horse racing then became illegal in Missouri in 1905.
Missouri casinos worked on riverboats in waterside communities in the 1800s. This was an ordinary during that era. These riverboats did manage to survive through the ban days however were never really legal. Horse racing then returned in 1984. Tracks, however, struggled through the early years. The state was reluctant to license off-track betting. This was done to inspire live racing days nonetheless it had the opposite effect.
List of Missouri casinos
| CASINO | SIZE | ADDRESS | WEBSITE |
| Ameristar Casino – Kansas City | 2,500 Slot Machines | 3200 North Ameristar Drive | www.ameristar.com |
| Ameristar Casino – St. Charles | 2,700 Slot Machines | 1260 South Main Street | www.ameristar.com |
| Argosy Casino – Riverside | 1,750 Slot Machines | 777 Northwest Argosy Parkway | www.argosykansascity.com |
| Harrah’s – North Kansas City | 2,100 Slot Machines | 1 Riverboat Drive | www.caesars.com |
| Hollywood Casino – St. Louis | 2,100 Slot Machines | 777 Casino Center Drive | www.hollywoodcasinostlouis.com |
| Isle of Capri – Boonville | 900 Slot Machines | 100 Isle of Capri Boulevard | www.isleofcapricasinos.com |
| Isle Casino – Cape Girardeau | 900 Slot Machines | 777 Main Street | www.isleofcapricasinos.com |
| Isle of Capri – Kansas City | 1,000 Slot Machines | 1800 Front Street | www.isleofcapricasinos.com |
| Lady Luck Casino – Caruthersville | 500 Slot Machines | 777 East 3rd Street | www.isleofcapricasinos.com |
| Lumiere Place Casino – St. Louis | 1,700 Slot Machines | 999 North 2nd Street | www.lumiereplace.com |
| Mark Twain Casino – La Grange | 600 Slot Machines | 104 Pierce Street | www.marktwaincasinolagrange.com |
| River City Casino – Lemay | 2,000 Slot Machines | 777 River City Casino Boulevard | www.rivercity.com |
| St. Jo Frontier Casino – St. Joseph | 556 Slot Machines | 777 Winners Circle | www.stjofrontiercasino.com |
FAQs about Missouri Gambling
There are currently 13 casinos in Missouri.
Yes, casinos in MO are required to be located on or near water.
There are no casinos in Branson, but the closest casino to the city is Indigo Sky Casino, which is 120 miles away in Oklahoma.
St. Louis has six casinos, and five of the casinos have hotels.
No, there are no complimentary drinks given in a casino located in Kansas City, Missouri.
There are six riverboat casinos in Kansas City.
The casinos in Kansas City include:
• Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City
• Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa
• Harrahs North Kansas City
• Hollywood Casino
• Isle of Capri Casino
• 7th Street Casino
Argosy Casino was built in 1994, and it is also the oldest casino in Kansas City.
Yes, slots are legal, and all gambling casinos in the state offer slots.
Yes, the gambling laws that it is legal to gamble and place a bet on riverboats. Games such as bingo, blackjack, fantasy sports, poker, and the lottery are allowed.
Check out our other state guides: