Introduction to Missouri Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Missouri slot machine casino gambling consists of thirteen riverboat casinos across the state.

A theoretical payout minimum limit exists per state gaming regulations. Further, return statistics are publicly available.

Louis is one of the largest cities in Missouri and rests along the Mississippi River, providing a gateway to the western United States. It is home to 2 major professional franchises - the Cardinals (MLB) and the Blues (NHL), and residents looking for legal St. Louis sports betting options can find plenty of international online sportsbooks to accept your wager. Best Casino Tours proudly offers the following trips with easy access locations for departing from South St. Louis County and St. Tunica, Mississippi - Gold Strike Casino & Hotel Mayetta, Kansas - Prairie Band Casino & Hotel. Set on the banks of the Mississippi River, River City Casino offers a luxury hotel and casino with the best gaming and dining in St. Louis, Missouri.

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This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Missouri*

The minimum legal gambling age in Missouri depends upon the gambling activity:

• Land-Based Casinos: 21
• Poker Rooms: 21
• Bingo: 18
• Lottery: 18
• Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

Missouri was the fifth U.S. state to approve riverboat casinos. Gaming regulations for these casinos have evolved over time including eliminating cruising, closing boarding for two-hour-long gaming sessions, and removal of the original $500 loss limit on each gaming session.

The state of Missouri withholds 4% of winnings on $1,200 or more jackpots or cash prizes. Filing a tax return with Missouri can potentially return some of this withheld state income tax.

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Missouri

Private ownership of a slot machine is legal in this state if it is at least 30 years old.

Gaming Control Board in Missouri

The Missouri Gaming Commission is responsible for establishing state gaming regulations for riverboat casinos, fantasy sports, bingo, and charitable games. This state gaming control board also hosts the interesting Missouri Gaming Commission News and Information blog with gaming news and information as well as photos.

Casinos in Missouri

There are thirteen riverboat casinos in Missouri.

The largest casino in Missouri is Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City with 2,578 gaming machines.

The second-largest casino is Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles with 2,567 gaming machines.

Commercial Casinos in Missouri

The 13 riverboat casinos in Missouri are:

1. Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles located 23 miles northwest of St. Louis.
2. Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa in Riverside located 7 miles northwest of Kansas City.
3. Century Casino Cape Girardeau located 116 miles southeast of St. Louis.
4. Century Casino Caruthersville located 98 miles north of Memphis, Tennessee.
5. Harrah’s Kansas City in North Kansas City located 7 miles northeast of Kansas City.
6. Isle of Capri Casino Hotel – Boonville located 103 miles east of Kansas City.
7. Lumiére Place Casino & Hotels in St. Louis.
8. Mark Twain Casino in La Grange located 145 miles northwest of St. Louis.
9. River City Casino & Hotel in St. Louis.
10. St. Jo Frontier Casino in St. Joseph located 55 miles north of Kansas City.

Tribal Casinos in Missouri

Missouri is home to two American Indian tribes. Without federal-recognition, neither tribe can offer a tribal casino. Further, no tribal gaming compacts exist with the state.

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Missouri slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Missouri is:

• North: Iowa Slots
• East: Illinois Slots
• Southeast: Kentucky Slots
• South: Arkansas Slots and Tennessee Slots
• Northwest: Nebraska Slots
• West: Kansas Slots and Oklahoma Slots

Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Missouri.

Our Missouri Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Missouri? If so, join our new Missouri slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

St Louis Mo Casino

There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Missouri. Join us!

Payout Returns in Missouri

Missouri state law has established an 80% lower limit for the theoretical payout on all gambling devices.

Actual return statistics are combined results from all electronic games including video poker, video keno, and slot machines. Monthly reports are under the gaming control board’s I Want To… section called View Slot Payout Percentages by Location.

The most recent monthly report at the time of this writing is from January 2020.

This extensive monthly return reports statistics by casino and slot machine denomination. In January 2020, the overall slots return percentage for all thirteen Missouri riverboat casinos was 90.4%.

Further, for January 2020, the individual monthly return for each riverboat casino was:

1. Ameristar Kansas City: 90.5%
2. Ameristar St. Charles: 91.0%
3. Argosy: 90.5%
4. Century Cape Girardeau: 89.8%
5. Century Caruthersville: 89.5%
6. Harrah’s Kansas City: 90.0%
7. Hollywood St. Louis: 90.8%
8. Isle of Capri – Boonville: 90.0%
9. Isle of Capri – Kansas City: 88.6%
10. Lumiére Place: 90.2%
11. Mark Twain: 89.2%
12. River City: 90.8%
13. St. Jo Frontier: 88.7%

For January 2020, the highest returns went to Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles at 91.0% closely followed by River City at 90.8%. The lowest returns for the month went to the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel – Kansas City at 88.6% closely followed by Mark Twain Casino at 88.7%.

By slot machine denominations, the highest returns went to Ameristar Kansas City with 107.9% payout on their $100 machines followed by 100.9% for $25 machines at Lumiére Place. Both high returns were no doubt due to a single large jackpot win during January.

The lowest returns by slot machine denomination went to Hollywood with a 76.4% for their $100 machines followed by 81.7% at River City. And, yes, 76.4% is less than the state’s minimum theoretical payout of 80%.

It would be best to avoid these slot machine denominations at these casinos as well as any other low-return slot machine denominations in Missouri. Be sure to check the most recent return statistics prior to visiting casinos in Missouri!

Summary of Missouri Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Missouri slot machine casino gambling consists of thirteen riverboat casinos having a total of 16,293 slot machines. Missouri’s tribes are unable to offer tribal casinos.

State gaming regulations established an 80% minimum theoretical payout for all gaming devices including slot machines, video poker, and video keno. Detailed return statistics are publicly available by month, casino, and slot machine denomination.

Annual Progress in Missouri Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Over the last year, the two Ameristar casinos in Missouri have each increased their number of slots by either over 300 or nearly 600 machines.

Otherwise, the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel – Cape Girardeau has become the Century Casino Cape Girardeau. Further, Century Casino also purchased Lady Luck Caruthersville and subsequently renamed it Century Casino Caruthersville.

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

• Previous: Mississippi Slot Machine Casino Gambling
• Next: Montana Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC

There are five riverboat casinos in St. Louis. Four are in St. Louis, Missouri and one is in nearby East St. Louis, Illinois which is located on the other side of the Mississippi River, aboutthree miles from downtown St. Louis.

In addition to those five St. Louis casinos, the Argosy Casino in Alton, Illinois is another nearby casino that is located about25 miles north of St. Louis.

All St. Louis casinos offer slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette. Some casinos also offer: let it ride, baccarat, mini-baccarat, poker, Ultimate Texas hold 'em, Caribbean studpoker, Mississippi stud, pai gow poker, and four card poker.

The payback percentages for slot machines at all casinos in St. Louis, Missouri are released as a matter of public record. Just click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for all Missouri casinos.

The payback percentages on electronic gaming machines at all Illinois casinos are also to the public. Just click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for all Illinois casinos.

NOTE: If you happen to win a jackpot of $1,200 or more in Missouri, the casino will withhold 4% of your winnings for the Missouri Department of Revenue. If you want to try and get that moneyrefunded, you will be required to file a state income tax return and, depending on the details of your return, you may get some of the money returned to you. The $1,200 threshold would alsoapply to any cash prizes won in casino drawings or tournaments.

Gambling Laws in St Louis

If you want to order a drink while playing, be aware that gaming regulations do not allow casinos in Illinois, nor Missouri, to provide free alcoholic beverages. The minimum gambling age is 21at all casinos in St. Louis and its surrounding areas.

List of Casinos in St. Louis

Hollywood Casino St Louis

Shown below is a list of all St Louis casinos. Click on a casino name to see a page of detailed information about that particular casino.

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For more information on visiting casinos in St Louis call the city’s Travel Center at (314) 421-1023 or go to www.explorestlouis.com.