Missouri law enforcement has seized 35 alleged illegal gambling devices and $58,815 in funds across Boone, Dallas, Jefferson and Miller counties, marking the latest escalation in the state’s crackdown on unregulated gaming machines.
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office worked with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and local police departments on the operation, which targeted five venues: Eagle Stop North Providence in Columbia, Woody’s Pub and Grub in Ashland, Buffalo Eagle Stop in Buffalo, Bagnell Eagle Stop in Lake Ozark and Tenbrook Station Lounge in Arnold.
Authorities said the seized devices included 25 illegal slot machines, five gray-market machines and five kiosk machines.
The charges filed include 21 felony counts of first-degree promoting gambling at four locations and five misdemeanor counts of second-degree promoting gambling at a fifth location.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said: “This remains a high priority for all in our office, in conjunction with the Highway Patrol and all these local departments, because these machines are illegal, but also they’ve become an attractive place for other illegal activity.”
The enforcement action comes after months of legal and regulatory attention on gray-market gaming devices in Missouri.
In February, US District Judge John A. Ross ruled that Torch Electronics machines met Missouri’s definition of gambling devices when operated outside licensed casinos.
Torch later agreed to suspend its Missouri operations by April 10 while settlement discussions continued with state and federal prosecutors.
Hanaway said none of the machines seized in the latest operation came from Torch Electronics, which she estimated had accounted for about 60% of the state’s illegal machine market. Her office is also speaking with other distributors about removing machines from Missouri businesses.
The crackdown is unfolding as Missouri’s regulated gaming market continues to expand. Sports betting launched in the state on December 1, 2025, while commercial casino revenue remains concentrated in regulated venues overseen by the Missouri Gaming Commission.
In April, Global Gaming Insider reported that Missouri casino revenue fell 2% year-on-year to $175.1m in March, with electronic gaming device revenue flat at $153.2m and table game revenue down 11% to just over $21.9m.
Hanaway said kiosk machines are typically emptied weekly, meaning the $58,815 seized represented about one week of proceeds
