These questions have never been clarified by state lawmakers, nor by the judiciary since no one has ever been prosecuted in Missouri for engaging with offshore gambling sites. Like many states, Missouri gambling laws do not mention online gambling specifically, creating some room for ambiguity about whether the act of playing online is illegal or 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.” The Missouri Gaming Commission regulates casinos, charitable gaming (bingo), fantasy sports contests, and those who engage in these licensed gaming activities. Likely to be authorized within the next two yearsĢ1 (casinos), 18 (lottery), 16 (charitable bingo) The local racetracks eventually stopped hosting live races, and pari-mutuel betting disappeared from the state. Unfortunately, as the casinos gained popularity, the horse racing scene deteriorated. Legal gambling was introduced to the state in 1984 when Missouri legalized horse racing and established an official lottery. Authorities stopped turning a blind eye to the betting action in 1905, and they criminalized all bookmaking operations.
Throughout the 19th century, these industries were allowed to operate without regulation. Historically speaking, gambling in Missouri has always been all about horse racing and riverboat casinos.
