Online casinos in Missouri remain illegal, and this issue hasn’t been discussed at the legislative level. For now, Missouri’s sweepstakes casinos are the only safe option for playing online casino games. These sites offer thousands of the same exciting games as real-money online casinos in legalized states. However, as they do not offer real-money gambling, they aren’t subject to the laws that forbid traditional online casino sites in Missouri.
Read this guide written by our gambling experts to learn everything you need to know about playing online casino games in Missouri. We cover the current legislation, recommend the best sweepstakes casinos available, and teach you how to find and claim generous bonuses that allow you to play for free.
The popularity of Missouri social casinos is not surprising. Social and sweepstakes casinos are among the fastest-growing forms of gaming with US casino sites today.
Since these Missouri sweepstakes casinos are currently going to be your only option in terms of online casinos, let’s look around at some of the top social casino sites available.
Missouri legislators are set to introduce online gambling in the state this year. Online sports betting will become operational by early December 2025. Retail sports betting will also begin to be offered in Missouri at the same time as the online sports betting launch.
However, no online casino legislation is on the horizon. So, for now, the only online action available in Missouri is through sweepstakes casinos. Online casino gambling for real money will likely remain illegal in Missouri for the foreseeable future.
State gambling laws also prohibit all forms of poker played for real money. Online wagering on horse racing through advance deposit wagering is also against the law in Missouri. You can wager in person on horse racing in the state. However, no live race meets are currently being conducted in the state.
Bingo is legal in Missouri, but only at charitable bingo locations. The Missouri State Lottery is legal, but all games must be played in person. Online lottery games are not permitted. Daily fantasy sports games have been legal in Missouri since 2016.
Sweepstakes casinos in Missouri still offer players a library of games comparable to any online real money casino site. Not only are the games similar in nature, but the massive amount of games offered by many Missouri social casinos is extensive. You’ll play for a long time before running out of new games to try.
You’ll find plenty of slots, including progressive jackpots and Megaways games. Table game choices include blackjack and roulette, video poker, scratch cards, arcade-style games, and live dealer studios. Following are some of the best games you can play at Missouri online casinos in each category.
The Return to Player (RTP) percentage offered with every game in Missouri sweepstakes casinos is the statistical percentage the game will pay back to players over time. For example, a game with a 95% RTP will pay back players $0.95 for every $1 bet.
Missouri is well underway to become one of the next US states to legalize sports betting. In November 2024, Missourians narrowly voted in favor of a state referendum approving the introduction of legal sportsbooks in the state.
The Missouri Gaming Commission has a deadline to set up a regulatory infrastructure for licensing and operations by December 2025. Rules must be implemented for applying for a license and the required security measures, as well as determining the process for transferring money from sports betting apps into the state treasury.
Along with Missouri sweepstakes casinos, other available gambling options in the Show Me State include riverboat casinos, horse racing, lottery games, and daily fantasy sports.
Even with the legalization of online sports betting, Missouri state legislators are showing no inclination to pursue legalizing online casino gambling for real money. That leaves social casinos in Missouri as your only chance to play casino games.
It’s an easy process to open an account with one of these Missouri social casinos by taking the following steps:
While you can purchase Gold Coins packages from sweepstakes casinos in Missouri, it isn’t necessary to ever spend your money to play there. Many promotional offers are provided regularly to enable you to top up your GC and SC supplies without spending any money. Under social casino laws, SCs are not purchasable and must always be given away.
GC can be purchased via major debit cards or credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. The same methods can also be utilized when redeeming SC for cash prizes.
If you are at least 21, you can legally play online casino games at Missouri social casinos. It’s not necessary to be a resident of Missouri to play these games. However, you will be required to be physically present within state lines. This step is regulated via geolocation software in your mobile device's location settings.
To play at Missouri online casinos, you must be able to provide proof that you are 21, the legal age to play casino games. The casino will request you to scan a copy of a government-issued photo ID (can be a driver’s license or passport). In some cases, casinos will also want proof of your current address (a copy of your recent electricity bill, for example).
The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) regulates riverboat casinos, charitable bingo, and fantasy sports contests in Missouri. It issues licenses to operate these sites and applies and enforces all of the state’s gaming laws and regulations. The MGC is headquartered in Jefferson City.
Like in any other state, most Missouri casino players use their mobile devices to gamble on the go. All the casinos we recommend will have an HTML5 responsive website, which is customizable and optimized for mobile browsers.
However, if you want faster connectivity, a more mobile-centric layout, and special features like in-app notifications, you should look for our recommended sweepstakes casinos that offer an app.
Missouri's history of legalized gambling dates back to 1980, when the first charitable bingo halls were granted licenses. Riverboat casinos were introduced in the state in 1992.
Charitable bingo legalized in the state.
State lottery approved.
First state lottery tickets sold in Missouri.
Riverboat casinos legalized in Missouri.
Daily fantasy sports approved in the state.
Statewide referendum approves legal retail and online sports betting in Missouri. The state has a mandate to have these sites operational by December 2025.
You’ve undoubtedly seen online advertising for real-money casino gambling available to Missouri players. These sites are known as offshore casinos. Since they are not legal or regulated by the state gaming commission, they are not recommended.
That means you have no official recourse if you have an issue with closing your account or getting a win paid out. There’s no regulatory body overseeing these offshore sites, and they have technically been illegal since 2006, when the US government banned their presence in the country.
Legal sweepstakes casinos remain the only safe option. Sweepstakes casinos follow US gambling laws and provide free casino gaming.
Currently, 13 riverboat casinos operate around Missouri. The first of these sites was introduced in 1992. The Missouri Gaming Commission regulates all of the state’s riverboat casinos. No tribal casinos are available.
A 4,000-passenger barge, the Ameristar Casino Hotel offers a 140,000-square-foot gaming area featuring 2,800 slots, 57 table games, and 15 poker tables. The hotel offers 142 rooms, 42 suites, and a food court with four fast food outlets. The site features an 18-screen movie theater and a 1,332-seat event center. There’s also a family arcade and a childcare center.
Bally’s Kansas City offers a 30,000-square-foot gaming area featuring slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, Texas hold'em, and six-card poker. The site is a 2,000-passenger two-deck Caribbean-themed barge docked in a man-made lake fed by the Missouri River.
Affiliated with Penn National Gaming, the Hollywood Casino St. Louis is located on two 3,200-passenger barges on the Missouri River. Featuring a 120,000-square foot gaming area, games offered include slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, mini-baccarat, poker, Pai Gow poker, four card poker, Cajun stud poker, Mississippi Stud, and Ultimate Texas Hold'em.
No. There are no legal options to play real-money online casino games in Missouri. However, sweepstakes casinos that allow you to play for free and redeem winnings for cash prizes are not illegal in Missouri and are available to players in the state.
Missouri legislators have never legalized sweepstakes casinos in the state. However, as they do not provide real-money gambling, they aren’t illegal and are available to Missourians. You’ll find dozens of sweepstakes sites that offer slots, table games, and live dealer action for virtual currency.
The best casino will depend on your preferences. Are you looking for the broadest game selection? Table or live dealer games? Or perhaps you are looking for the most generous bonuses and promotions? Our casino experts tested every casino in the state, and we list the best ones on this page.
Yes, all Missouri social casinos we recommend in this guide are safe and trustworthy. We ensure that every sweepstakes casino we feature adheres to the strictest standards of safety, privacy, fairness, and responsible gaming.
Much like a real-money online casino, Missouri social casinos feature bonuses and promotions for existing and new players, including no-deposit welcome offers, daily login bonuses, and refer-a-friend bonuses. Additionally, welcome bonus packages often include additional coins that can be purchased at a discount rate.