A sweeping crackdown on slot-style gaming machines is underway in Missouri, triggered by the state’s Attorney General. Catherine L. Hanaway issued a stark warning to businesses: remove the devices immediately, as they are currently illegal under Missouri law.
The directive follows a recent federal court ruling that definitively categorized these machines as illegal gambling devices. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri determined that “video lottery terminals” found in establishments like bars and gas stations violate existing state gambling statutes when operating outside of licensed casinos.
Hanaway’s message was direct and uncompromising. “Right now the law says these machines are illegal,” she stated, emphasizing her commitment to enforcing the law as it stands. She didn’t offer ambiguity, urging businesses to begin removal “like, today.”
Beyond the legal implications, Hanaway voiced serious concerns about public safety. Unregulated gambling, she argued, creates an environment ripe for more serious criminal activity. She fears escalating disputes over profits and territory could lead to violent crime if authorities don’t intervene.
Her office views the removal of these machines as part of a larger effort to combat vice-related offenses. Hanaway connected the issue to concerns about drug activity and the sale of goods to minors, predicting a surge in dangerous turf wars if law enforcement remains inactive.
The federal court’s decision stemmed from a lawsuit where a jury found that the machines relied on chance, a key element in defining illegal gambling under Missouri law. Judge John A. Ross’s opinion explicitly stated the devices “readily meet” the state’s statutory definition of illegal gambling devices.
For years, these machines operated in a legal gray area, their status uncertain. The court ruling, however, provides state and local officials with clearer authority to take action. Several county prosecutors have already notified businesses of potential criminal charges if the machines aren’t removed by specified deadlines.
The issue has ignited debate within the State Capitol. The Missouri House recently passed a bill proposing a state-run video lottery system, aiming to replace the current unregulated machines with a regulated alternative. This system would establish payout standards and direct revenue towards education and local governments.
Proponents of the bill argue that regulation would bring much-needed transparency and generate tax revenue. Opponents, however, worry that legalizing the system would reward those who previously exploited loopholes in the law.
Despite the legislative debate, Hanaway remains firm. Businesses continuing to operate the machines should anticipate enforcement action, she warned, as the Missouri State Highway Patrol has already documented their widespread presence throughout the state – including one location with eleven devices.
