gambling

Missourians bet more than half a billion dollars in the first month of legal sports wagering, but just over $500,000 came back to the state as tax revenue.

The bill would legalize and regulate the gaming machines that are often found in gas stations and convenience stores. The measure is expected to find less support in the Senate.

The decision by U.S. District Judge John Ross lands as Missouri lawmakers debate whether to legalize the video slot machines. Meanwhile, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has vowed to shut them down.

More than a year after Missouri voters narrowly approved the legalization of sports betting, the books are now open across the state. Missourians wagered more than $543 million in December, although the state made little tax revenue from that. Now a bill could legalize video lottery terminals.

Missouri's top gambling official expects "an uptick in bets" for the first Super Bowl since the state legalized sports betting. But the state won't likely make much in revenue from the bets.

After providing more than $100 million in free plays to lure customers, FanDuel and DraftKings, the sports books dominating the state market, paid no taxes.

Legislation that legalizes and regulates the video gambling machines, often found in gas stations, passed the Missouri House last year but did not make it through the Senate. People under the age of 21 would be barred from playing.

Missourians narrowly passed Amendment 2 in 2024, which legalized sports betting in the state. As of December 1, people can now bet in person at casinos as well as through a variety of mobile apps like DraftKings or FanDuel.

Sports betting became legal in Missouri this week. It marks the end of a years-long effort that came down to a statewide vote, and will likely transform the sports industry throughout the state. Plus: Lesser prairie chickens used to roam across Kansas and the Great Plains by the millions, but now there’s only a few thousand.

One of the most popular games in the world, mahjong has recently gotten big around Kansas City — with the metro's first dedicated parlor opening this year. You can now find places to play casually and competitively, or learn the game for the first time.

A federal jury ruled that Torch Electronics, the owner of thousands of "gray market" slot machines across Missouri, edged out a competitor offering arcade games with unfair business practices. The company must pay $500,000 in damages.

Legal sports gambling is set to begin in Missouri on Dec. 1, more than a year after voters approved legalization. Many bettors are eager for it to begin, but addiction health advocates are concerned about easily accessible mobile gambling.