The June update from Vegas Sports Betting dives next into the state of Missouri. One of the more recent states to enter into sports betting, Missouri is learning the ropes so to speak. Remember. the Show Me State permitted sports gambling starting on December 1st, 2025 (the 39th state to do so). People 21 or older can make wagers at licensed apps and retail sportsbooks.
The problem for Missouri is the growing pains. By now, online betting sites of a legal nature are entrenched in the state. Also, there are 13 riverboats that offer gambling via sports betting and casinos. Furthermore, the lottery is still prevalent. Charitable gaming is present as well. Do not forget that daily fantasy sports and some prediction markets are in the state. too.
Now, the Missouri Gaming Commission is the regulation body for the state. With more than a half dozen operators, the state is primed to continue growing in options for bettors and casino goers. For those wondering, bettors can wager on in-state college and pro sports. So from the Missouri Tigers to the Kansas City Chiefs, the wagers can be made.
With more and more wagering options, Missouri still has those growing pains and does have some issues. It is time to take a look at the latest.
Missouri gas station slots are at a crossroads of sorts. Yes, Missouri is still trying to figure certain things out. However, the best online casinos still feel a bit like the “Wild Wild West”. As a result, there are some considerable chinks in the armor. The idea of a gas station slot and video gambling is on the ballot in three districts.
This includes the 16th, 20th, and 8th districts. Where this all gets interesting is the money being spent on these efforts. It may be the third district that has the most headlines. It is a battle that involves Jon Patterson versus Dan Stacey is an intriguing battle where gambling PAC’s and the fundraising edge overwhelmingly tilts toward the Missouri House Speaker.
Stacy tries to say the right things but believes the video lottery bill could pass next year if certain candidates are elected. State Senator Lincoln Hough fired the simplest barb.
“If you want gas station casinos, and you want slot machines in every freaking gas station in this state, then the people that are going to support that are the ones that are elected,” said Hough, who is leaving the Senate this year because of term limits. “If you feel strongly enough that you don’t like these things, you better find out who the candidates are in your area who don’t like them.”
If anyone needs a reason why Missouri seeks to go in some different directions, it is this. The legal gambling age for casinos is 21. Yes, there are always many and different online deposit methods with the casinos and books. Then again, illegal gambling operations are trying to bend their way into the conversation. Others are trying to break the doors down and find any way in necessary.
Again, the 16th district where Mr. Hardwick is has been opposed by three candidates with various stances. One candidate said this. “Telling me that legalizing those machines is a way to pay our bills is like telling your child to go out and prostitute to pay your light bill,” she said. “It’s wrong. It’s absolutely wrong.” Alas, maybe that is a hard stance but it is a stance.
Remember that money often talks in races like this as Hardwick leads the way by far with over $300,000 in PAC contributions racked up already. The other candidates combined are not even close to that amount. VLT’s are appearing to gain some traction if the early results are any indication.
Fee expect the other three candidates to challenge Hardwick much. Then there is one potential question mark in the mix. That would be the 20th district.
Yes, tensions rise in District 20. One race does have an opponent with a leg to stand on and is very much against the VLT’s and any expansion of sports gambling in general. “It’s pay to play,” Rook said. “This is the system that’s set up. It’s completely corrupt, and none of it surprises me. They’re investing in these candidates that have done their bidding, and they’re not willing to wager against people like me who are going to come in and say no.”
Trent vs. Rook here feels like a battle of the establishment versus the frustrated. The strangest thing is that regulation would not be a bad thing but again asking legislators to come to a consensus is rough. Talking about frameworks, money again talks. So far, it is suggested that VLT’s may have a path in 2027 after all.
Projections suggest the candidates in the 8th, 16th, and 20th districts will ultimately vote for this expansion. Unless something changes dramatically, Missouri may be heading for something that many did not expect. The reality is District 20 is a potential stumbling block. Curtis Trent is hoping for less of a battle.
Finally, it comes down to the voters here. When money is on the line, there may be no simple answer. Then again, Missouri will heads to the election booth come November and the decision will be clearly made one way or the other.
