Share 
State of Play
- Missouri’s attorney general has filed lawsuits against five southeast Missouri retail shops over alleged “unregulated” slot‑style gambling machines.
- The suits target devices that resemble casino slot machines but reportedly allow players to see or predict outcomes, which the AG says makes them illegal under state law.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced civil suits Tuesday against five retail locations in southeast Missouri:
- Discount Spirits and Tobacco (Kennett)
- Kennett Liquor and Tobacco (Kennett)
- Laura’s Mini Mart (Kennett)
- Dixie Package (Malden)
- Swindle’s Quick Shop (Malden)
The complaints allege the businesses have hosted “unregulated” slot machine–style devices, often called video lottery terminals, which appear in gas stations and liquor stores around the state.
Hanaway said these machines look like casino slots but let players see or predict outcomes before playing, putting them outside Missouri’s legal definition of a gambling device (a machine where the outcome cannot be fully determined by skill).
“My office will hold any business accountable for profiting off of unlawful activity.”
Lawmakers considering making machines legal
For local patrons who treat these devices as low‑stakes entertainment could lose access if shops remove them or are fined.
For operators, the suits are a legal and financial warning: Civil enforcement can lead to penalties, forced removal of equipment, and reputational damage. Operators hoping for legislative clarity should note that until lawmakers act, the AG considers the devices illegal.
If Missouri or other states eventually regulate and tax similar machines, operators will face licensing, reporting, and tax compliance requirements rather than ad‑hoc enforcement. The Missouri Legislature is weighing proposals to regulate and tax these machines; until lawmakers finalize any framework, expect continued enforcement and possible additional lawsuits.
Based on reporting by Mark Zinn and Joey Schneider for Fox 2 Now.
