Missouri Online Gambling Laws
Online gambling starts and ends with Daily Fantasy Sports in Missouri. While the Supreme Court ruling of 2018 made sports betting legal on a federal level, Missouri has yet to pass legislation that allows it within state borders.
However, there is still hope for online casino gambling in the state. In March 2024, House Bill 2835, sponsored by Rep. Crystal Quade, was introduced in the Missouri House to help regulate future sports and retail online betting. Whether it will pass is still unknown, but it shows that Missouri is slowly moving towards legalization, and Missouri casinos might become available online in the near future.
In the meantime, the only form of legal online gambling in Missouri is through Daily Fantasy Sports sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel. Social and sweepstakes casinos and charitable gambling are also allowed but operate in a gray area.
It’s important to ensure you’re not betting with an illegal gambling site, as the punishment is up to 12 months in jail and a $2,000 fine for simply owning a gambling device in Missouri. The state takes illegal gambling very seriously, so it’s crucial to only use legal and regulated websites when gambling online and follow any set age limits for these social casino sites.
How Does Missouri Regulate Gambling?
There are two main regulatory bodies responsible for overseeing gambling activities: the Missouri Lottery Commission and the Missouri Gaming Commission. The Lottery Commission regulates lottery games and helps disperse lottery winnings, while the Gaming Commission does everything from approving licenses to handling complaints for Fantasy Sports and riverboat casinos.
While online casino gambling may not be currently allowed in this state, it’s possible that if it is legalized, it will fall under the jurisdiction of the Gaming Commission. This would mean that the commission would be responsible for licensing and regulating online betting sites, ensuring fair play, regulating the legal casino age online, and protecting consumers.
In fact, HB 2835 specifically states that the Gaming Commission would be responsible for regulating online sports betting and casino gaming should it become legal in the state.
In the meantime, if you have a complaint, want to get resources for problem gambling, or want to apply for a license to operate a legal gambling establishment, the Gaming Commission is the place to go. In addition, they can also help offer information on charitable games and bingo events, and answer questions about Daily Fantasy Sports.
