Missouri Gaming Commission: who they are and what they do

Missouri Gaming Commission: who they are and what they do

Gambling in the US has grown significantly over the past few years, and one state that offers a selection of legal verticals is Missouri. Casinos and other venues across the state contribute considerably to the local economy in the form of taxes, job creation, and more. 

All gambling in the Show Me State is regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission. The governing body manages all license-related matters, including issuing permits and regulatory breaches. 

On this page, you’ll find information about the Missouri Gaming Commission and gambling in the state. You’ll also discover what’s been going on recently and what might be in store for the future. 

What Is The Missouri Gaming Commission?

The Missouri Gaming Commission is the main gambling regulatory body in Missouri. The state’s 87th General Assembly founded the regulator in 1993. 

All gambling-related matters in Missouri are overseen by the Commission. This includes: 

  • Processing operator license applications; 
  • Overlooking charitable gambling causes in Missouri; 
  • Enforcing rules outlined in official state legislation. 

The Missouri Gaming Commission also collects licensing fees paid by casinos and other operators that offer their services in the state. 

What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in Missouri?

Online casino games in Missouri are currently illegal. However, offline casinos are allowed – as long as a Missouri gaming license is obtained first. 

Players in Missouri are unable to play at casinos strictly based on land. Instead, there are dozens of riverboat venues for those who want to play their favorite games. Riverboat operators are allowed to offer both table games and slot machines. 

Sports betting in the Midwestern state is illegal both online and at riverboat casinos. At the time of writing, no legislation has been introduced in 2021 to change that. 

While sports betting is not permitted, daily fantasy sports (DFS) are regulated. Players can access these offerings at licensed websites and will, in most cases, pay a fee to enter competitions and leaderboards. 

Charitable games are also available in a limited sense. As outlined by the Missouri Gaming Commission: “The operation of bingo and other associated games is restricted to qualified licensed, religious, charitable, fraternal, veteran and service organizations.” 

To gamble in Missouri, players must be aged 21 or above. If an individual is under 21, they are also not allowed on a riverboat casino’s premises.

How Do Operators Obtain a Missouri License?

The state makes two different licenses available: a riverboat casino operator permit and one for gaming suppliers. 

To get a gaming license, operators need to pay $10,000 as a one-time application fee when submitting their interest. If they’re successful, they will be granted a permit lasting for one year. 

Licenses are renewable, but casinos need to pay $5,000 annually to keep their rights to offer casino games legally in the state. 

Both operators and suppliers must show that they are fit for purpose and will not be a liability. The Missouri Gaming Commission carries out criminality checks and looks at business descriptions and product information. Various other factors, such as licenses in other states and jurisdictions outside of the US, are also considered.

Tax

Missouri casinos pay 21% in the state tax on their gross gaming revenue (GGR) over the year. 

All taxes paid are split between the state and funding the local community in which each boat is located. The money that the state receives is also distributed between several causes and services. These are:

  • Education;
  • Problem gambling treatment; 
  • Local public safety programs; 
  • Early childhood programs; 
  • Veteran programs. 

Although commercial casinos exist, Missouri doesn’t have any tribal casinos.

How Much is Gambling Worth To Missouri?

The regulated gambling industry is an essential part of the Missourian economy. Its 13 venues collectively generated $1.26 billion in revenue in 2020, helping to fund the initiatives listed above. 

But funding alone isn’t why the Missouri Gaming Commission has such an essential role in ensuring that gambling is channeled to legal areas. The state’s riverboat casinos also support just under 20,000 jobs between them. 

With everything taken into consideration, the tax impact of legal gambling in Missouri is $997.8 million. The economic impact, meanwhile, is $3.45 billion. 

Where Are Missouri’s Riverboat Casinos Located?

As a reasonably small market compared to the likes of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Missouri Gaming Commission News isn’t as common as in those states. This is especially the case when it comes to its casinos. 

Missouri’s riverboat casinos are scattered throughout the state and are located in various towns and cities. These are: 

  • Saint Louis; 
  • Kansas City;
  • North Kansas City; 
  • Riverside; 
  • Saint Joseph; 
  • Boonville; 
  • La Grange; 
  • Maryland Heights;
  • Caruthersville;
  • Cape Girardeau;
  • Saint Charles. 

Note: some areas, like Saint Charles, have more than one casino.

Where Can I Find the Latest Missouri Gaming Commission News?

To find the latest Missouri Gaming Commission news, you could visit local and statewide media outlets. But if you do that, you’ll also find these stories diluted in between a lot of news that is irrelevant to you.

Instead, it would be best if you went to a dedicated gaming news outlet that focuses on the global industry. That way, you’ll be able to stay up to date on all of the latest ongoings – both in Missouri and beyond. Moreover, if the state chooses to introduce sports betting legislation, you’re guaranteed not to miss it. 

Is Missouri Going to Become a Big US Gambling Market?

Missouri might not be as big as some other US markets, but that doesn’t mean that keeping updated on the latest Missouri Gaming Commission news isn’t worth it. Its riverboat casino industry contributes billions of dollars to the state industry each year, which might prompt governors in the future to legalize online gambling. 

Another area worth keeping eyes on is sports betting. At the moment, it doesn’t look like the vertical will arrive anytime in the near future. But just because the vertical won’t come anytime soon doesn’t mean that it’s never going to happen. 

Gambling in Missouri is well-regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission and, if it expands legislation, the state will be attractive to operators both in and outside of the state. Focus Gaming News will be the first to break any related news, too, so keep an eye on our website.