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Now that Missouri has entered the modern age of gaming by launching sports betting earlier this month, there remains one important gaming horizon left in the state’s path: online casinos.
Does the Show Me State have expanded online gambling in its future? While there is no active legislation on the table to legalize online casinos, voters’ decision to allow sports betting could be the first step in completing the gaming trifecta in Missouri: sports betting, land-based casinos, and online casinos.
What would it take to bring online casinos to Missouri?
Every state’s path to online casinos is a bit different, but most begin the same way: legalize sports betting first, then bring in online casinos. With the first major hurdle cleared, it’s worth considering what it may take from here to bring casino-style gaming to mobile devices in the state.
Job market effects: A key debate around online casinos
This argument becomes especially relevant in colder or storm-prone areas, where inclement weather can keep players at home on their phones rather than driving through unsafe conditions to sit at a slot machine.
Such scenarios reduce foot traffic, which reduces revenue and may push properties to cut staff to make up for the financial shortfall. Addressing that possibility is easier when workers feel confident they can find employment elsewhere quickly.
Winning public support for online casinos in Missouri
Since the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act — and even before it — public sentiment about gambling has shifted. The average person is far more comfortable with casino gaming and sports betting.
This could work to the advantage of potential Missouri online casino operators, but they would still need help. Despite broad acceptance of sports betting, it hasn’t translated into widespread adoption of online casinos. More than 40 states have legalized sports betting, but only seven have legal real-money online casinos.
A coordinated effort by gaming operators and lawmakers to demonstrate how gaming tax revenue has improved the state’s quality of life could boost Missouri’s chances. Currently, revenue from gaming taxes is divided among education (which receives the largest share), communities that host casinos, responsible gaming programs and veterans programs.
Highlighting the positive impact on these areas could resonate with the public, especially since education and veterans services tend to rank high in importance for voters.
The financial case for Missouri online casinos
Casinos love revenue, and states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey have found that operators make more money from online slots than any other gaming product. Operating costs for an online casino are also significantly lower than for a land-based property.
It may be only a matter of time before Missouri’s casino operators recognize how much revenue they are leaving on the table by not pursuing iGaming.
When could online casinos go live in Missouri?
Not right now. It would likely take at least a year for lawmakers to settle on a bill that satisfies both sides of the aisle — sports betting was contentious enough that it required voter approval — as well as land-based casino operators. Considering how long sports betting took to pass in Missouri, and how few states currently offer legal online casinos, the state is likely at least two years away from any real chance of iGaming.
