Missouri Online Gambling
The Missouri online gambling market was largely restrictive until recently, but the passage of Amendment 2 in 2024 has cleared the way for legal online sports betting and retail sportsbooks.
Daily fantasy sports are also legal and regulated, but Missouri’s online gambling options are limited otherwise. Online casinos, poker sites, horse racing betting, and online lottery sales remain prohibited in Missouri.
However, sweepstakes casinos are a close alternative to online casinos in Missouri.
Read on for a comprehensive but plain-English overview of what’s legal in Missouri, the key laws players need to know, and answers to gamblers’ most common questions.
Legal Missouri Gambling Sites
21+ and present in MO. T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700.
Missouri Online Gambling Overview
| Type of Gambling (minimum age) | Legal Status | Notes |
| Online Casinos (n/a) | Illegal | Prohibited under MO Rev Stat Ch. 572 and Ch. 313 |
| Sweepstakes Casinos (18+) | Gray Area | Not explicitly authorized or banned; operates under US sweepstakes laws |
| Online Poker (n/a) | Illegal | Prohibited under Missouri’s general online gambling ban |
| Online Sports Betting (21+) | Legal/Regulated (Pending Launch) | Approved via Amendment 2; launch expected Dec 2025 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (18+) | Legal/Regulated | Regulated under MO Rev Stat §§ 313.900-955 |
| Fantasy Pick ’em Contests (18+) | Legal/Regulated | Player vs. house contests prohibited; peer-to-peer allowed |
| Online Lottery Sales (18+) | Illegal | MO Lottery does not offer online sales; courier apps not permitted |
| Online Horse Racing (18+) | Effectively Illegal | Law unclear on advance deposit wagering; no active operators |
Missouri Online Casinos
Online casinos are illegal in Missouri.
State law, specifically in Chapters 313 and 572 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, broadly prohibits gambling activities that lawmakers have not explicitly authorized.
These statutes make it a crime to operate or participate in unauthorized games of chance for money, meaning there is no way to play blackjack online, roulette, slots, or other casino-style games outside of land-based casinos.
The law does not distinguish between operators and players in all cases. Although felony charges are typically reserved for those who operate illegal gambling enterprises, participating in unlawful gambling is a Class C misdemeanor in Missouri.
To date, enforcement has focused on the operators of illegal gambling operations and offshore websites rather than individual players. Nonetheless, state law clearly prohibits participation in unlawful gambling online and in person.
Legalization Outlook
Missouri is unlikely to legalize online casinos in the near-to-medium term.
There is currently no significant legislative momentum to legalize online casinos in Missouri. Instead, the recent political discussion surrounding gambling expansion has focused primarily on sports betting.
Lawmakers have not seriously considered bills to legalize online casinos in Missouri, and the topic is not a priority among key stakeholders such as land-based casino operators.
The legislature struggled for years just to pass a sports betting bill, which has much broader support from professional sports teams, casino operators, and the public.
The more complex issues surrounding online casinos, such as potential impacts on land-based casino revenue and concerns about problem gambling, make it a much more challenging topic to address.
Missouri online casinos will remain prohibited for the foreseeable future.
Sweepstakes Casinos in Missouri
Sweepstakes casinos operate in a legal gray area in Missouri.
Online sweepstakes casinos structure their operations to comply with US sweepstakes laws. The basic idea is to distinguish their businesses from traditional gambling despite offering casino-style games that resemble slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker, etc.
The key difference is the “no purchase necessary” model, designed to remove the element of consideration (risking something of value), which is required to meet Missouri’s legal definition of “gambling.”
As is the case in most states, Missouri law does not specifically address sweepstakes casinos. However, unlike many states, Missouri has not targeted sweepstakes casinos with enforcement actions, such as cease-and-desist orders.
As a result, all major sweepstakes casino brands accept Missouri residents. Some of the most prominent include:
Players should keep two things in mind before using sweepstakes casinos:
- The Missouri Gaming Commission does not regulate sweepstakes casinos; they are not subject to external audits for security and fair games, and players have limited recourse if an operator refuses to pay their winnings
- Missouri law could change, or regulators could target sweepstakes casinos with cease-and-desist orders, which could result in operators exiting the market with little warning
Missouri Online Poker
Online poker is illegal in Missouri.
Missouri’s anti-gambling laws apply to online poker sites just as they do to online casinos. Even peer-to-peer poker games played for real money meet the state’s broad definition of gambling. As a result, there are no legal online poker sites in Missouri.
Legislative efforts to authorize online poker have been nearly nonexistent. A 2021 bill (HB 1364) would have classified poker as a game of skill and allowed licensed casinos to apply for “interactive gaming” licenses to offer skill games online.
Legalization Outlook
Legalizing online poker would require a significant shift in legislative priorities. It would likely only be considered as part of a larger online casino legalization package, which is not expected anytime soon.
Sweepstakes poker sites, which use the same promotional model as sweepstakes casinos, are the only legal alternative for online poker in Missouri.
Missouri Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting is legal but not yet operational in Missouri.
In November 2024, Missouri voters approved Amendment 2 to initiate a constitutional amendment authorizing online sports betting and retail sportsbooks.
The amendment directed the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) to have all the necessary regulations and licenses in place by December 1st, 2025, which is the target launch date for the first sportsbooks.
When the Missouri sports betting market launches, fans 21 and older will be able to bet on professional and collegiate sports from anywhere within state lines.
All the nation’s most prominent online sportsbook brands have applied for Missouri sports betting licenses, including:
- Bet365 Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- ESPN Bet
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
Missouri Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports contests are legal and regulated in Missouri.
The Missouri legislature legalized daily fantasy sports in 2016 via HB 1941, also known as the Missouri Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act. The Act classified DFS as a game of skill, established consumer protection regulations, and tasked the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) with providing ongoing oversight.
All fantasy sports apps must apply for licenses from the MGC before serving customers located within Missouri. Most high-profile DFS apps are licensed in Missouri, including:
- PrizePicks
- FanDuel DFS
- DraftKings DFS
Under the law, operators must:
- Verify that customers are at least 18 years old
- Segregate operational funds from customers’ funds
- Restrict employees from participating in paid DFS contests
- Promptly pay out winnings
- Support responsible gameplay, including offering self-exclusion options and self-imposed limits (e.g., daily deposit limit, weekly loss limit, etc.)
Fantasy Pick ’em Contests in Missouri
Fantasy pick ’em contests are legal in Missouri.
Missouri law allows fantasy pick ’em contests (where players predict “more” or “less” on athletes’ statistical projections), but only if they are peer-to-peer.
In March 2024, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) sent cease-and-desist letters to operators that offered player-vs-house fantasy pick ’em contests.
Previously, operators like PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy offered pick ’em contests in which players submitted over/under-style predictions against the house for fixed payouts.
In response, most of the fantasy pick ’em apps operating in Missouri launched peer-to-peer variants. The peer-to-peer variant still involves predicting whether athletes will exceed their projected totals in statistics like passing yards and points, but it features tournament-style payouts instead of fixed prizes.
Missouri Online Lottery Sales
Online lottery sales are illegal in Missouri.
State law only permits the sale of tickets through licensed physical retailers. The official Missouri Lottery app allows users to check winning numbers, scan tickets for winners, and find retailers, but it does not offer ticket sales or instant win games online.
Missouri also bans third-party lottery courier services (apps that buy tickets on customers’ behalf). Apps like Jackpocket and TheLotter are not authorized, and attempts to introduce them in Missouri have faced steadfast opposition.
In Spring 2025, a state budget proposal included a provision to allow a three-year pilot program for lottery couriers to operate in Missouri. Lawmakers quietly added the language in the Senate’s budget draft, sparking lobbying battles between courier companies and traditional retailers/casinos.
Ultimately, lawmakers removed the courier pilot provision from the budget proposal. As a result, there is currently no way to buy online lottery tickets in Missouri legally.
Missouri Online Horse Racing Betting
Online horse racing betting is unavailable in Missouri.
Although Missouri’s statutes technically authorize pari-mutuel wagering, the laws have not been updated to explicitly permit or regulate advance deposit wagering (online horse racing betting).
Due to the wording of Missouri’s laws and the lack of a clear regulatory framework, all major online racebooks in the United States interpret the law as prohibitive. Advance deposit wagering platforms (ADWs) like TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, AmWager, and DK Horse do not accept customers residing in Missouri.
Furthermore, the Missouri Horse Racing Commission (MHRC) has been largely inactive and unfunded for many years, providing no state-level oversight or licensing structure for operators.
Missouri Gambling Regulators
- Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC): The MGC oversees casino gambling, including the state’s 13 riverboat casinos, and enforces casino regulations. It also regulates sports betting (under Amendment 2) and daily fantasy sports operations.
- Missouri Lottery Commission (MLC): Governs the Missouri Lottery and runs all lottery games. The MLC handles ticket sales, retailer licensing, game integrity, and prize payouts.
- Missouri Horse Racing Commission (MHRC): The MHRC is responsible for licensing racetracks, race dates, and enforcing racing rules. However, since Missouri currently has no active racetracks, the MHRC is largely dormant. It still exists on paper and would oversee any future horse racing or simulcast betting operations in Missouri.
- Missouri State Highway Patrol – Gaming Division: The Gaming Division assigns officers to every casino in Missouri and works closely with the MGC. They handle criminal investigations, on-site security, and enforcement of gambling laws at casinos. The Patrol also has an Illegal Gaming Investigations Unit that tackles unauthorized gambling devices (like unregulated slot machines in gas stations).
Responsible Gambling Resources in Missouri
Missouri provides a range of resources and programs to promote responsible gambling and assist those who may develop a gambling problem. Both industry stakeholders and the state government collaborate to fund and implement these initiatives.
Self-Exclusion Resources
Because most online gambling activities in Missouri operate in a legal gray area, the state offers limited support for gamblers who wish to self-exclude.
The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) maintains a voluntary self-exclusion program for land-based casinos, which will expand to include sports betting once the state’s first sportsbooks launch.
Missouri lacks a statewide self-exclusion program for daily fantasy sports and sweepstakes casinos, but most operators offer individual programs that individuals can apply to one by one to limit their available options.
Responsible Gambling Resources
- Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling (MACPG): Offers information, support resources, and free treatment referrals. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2573)
- Missouri Problem Gambling Helpline: Call 888-BETS-OFF (888-238-7633) 24/7 for support, resources, and referrals for treatment.
- Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH): Provides state-certified treatment services for problem gambling through its Compulsive Gamblers Fund.
- Gamblers Anonymous: A fellowship program that holds regular meetings throughout Missouri, offering peer support for individuals recovering from gambling addiction.