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Unarguably, Southern California is the poker capital of the world, as the Golden State is home to more cardrooms and tables than most other states in the U.S. However, this is not to say conclusively that other states fall far beneath the bar. Missouri, otherwise known as the Cave State, also has a remarkable poker history that stretches back to the 1900s. Surprisingly, this 68,886 sqm state, comprising over 6 million individuals, constitutes a significant portion of the online poker traffic in the United States.

Despite the low population of the Missouri state in the 1900s, the popularity of poker surged massively; many more saloons included the games as a means of entertainment at the time. In the years that followed, the Missouri government made the games “illegal”, ending them  until 1992, when the two riverboat casinos began their operations.

Today, modern gambling laws within Missouri are similar to other neighboring states that inhibit the act of gambling. However, nothing is clearly stated about whether the Cave State’s inhabitants get to indulge in the comfort of modern technology (online poker).

This comprehensive assessment of online poker in Missouri focuses on key issues affecting your poker gaming sessions in Missouri. It answers long-standing questions surrounding the issue of Missouri online poker games. If you’ve always wondered whether online poker is legal in Missouri or where to find the best poker sites in Missouri, then come with us on this factual yet engaging journey. .

Is Online Poker Legal In Missouri?

There are six Missouri riverboat casinos where you can play competitive poker bi-weekly. These include; 

• Isle Casino Cape Girardeau (offers only 4 tables)
• Harrah’s North Kansas City (minimum of 10 tables)
• Ameristar Kansas City (minimum of 10 tables)
• Hollywood Casino St. Louis (minimum of 10 tables)
• Lumiere Place St. Louis (minimum of 10 tables)
• Ameristar St. Charles (minimum of 10 tables)

However, in response to the question “Is online poker legal in Missouri?”, the answer is both yes and no. Missouri falls in line with many other conservative American states in that its government is yet to make a decisive ruling on internet gambling. Missouri is, in fact, “on the fence” as far as the subject of online gambling is concerned.

This is because there is no single state law that makes it illegal for Missouri residents to sign up for an account with a poker site hosted outside the state. In the past, Missouri state has never arrested anyone for gambling online. So, despite the excerpt from code 572.020 (1), “A person commits the crime of gambling if he knowingly engages in gambling” (that clearly addresses gambling as criminal activity), not one individual has been busted as a result of online gambling in the two decades that iGaming has been in existence in Missouri.

In Section 572.070, a reference was made to online gambling. It states that a gambling device encompasses  devices or equipment used in gambling activities. This is the case regardless of whether the gambling activity is carried out by many individuals or by a single individual with a machine.

This section could be taken  to mean every gambling activity performed via software. Hence, if the state decides to take it seriously, actions spanning from paying cards to poker chips and every online wager are all punishable by law. Despite the scare you might have gotten from Section 572.070, we can still say that you are safe if you decide to play a quick game of online poker in Missouri. The possibility exists that Missouri might enforce stringent laws on online gambling in the future. However, you can rest assured that it will not happen anytime soon as Missouri’s budget is currently being channeled toward weightier matters within the state.

History of Missouri Poker

The Midwest has been home to poker games since the 1900s. And it is no surprise  that notable poker champions Greg Raymer and the 2006 winner Jamie Gold both have ties to  Missouri. A combination of fervent love for the game, the establishment of live games, and the growth of online poker real money games has helped increase the popularity and accessibility of the game in the early 2000s. However, even with the growing popularity of poker games, in 2011, a law was passed that closed many online poker sites.

In the present day, the popularity of online poker gambling is increasing rapidly, and there are two key reasons behind this trend. First, online poker sites offer immense convenience to poker fans. You do not have to drive or walk all the way to a poker game venue before wagering in your favorite game. You can easily access the games from any location on the planet; all you need are an internet connection and a smartphone.

Secondly, there are also many games offered by the online poker rooms. If you are a lover of variety, then the most suitable place to find an overwhelming variety of intense poker games is online.

Gambling Laws In Missouri

Just as is the case in other states of the U.S., the state laws decide whether gambling is legal or not in a particular state. If it is legal, the laws point out the types of gambling allowed and list accompanying terms and restrictions. While it is true that there are no laws that outrightly rule out online games, the state of Missouri has explicitly declared its stand against anyone taking up livelihood as a professional gambler.

Section 572.101 and 572.010 of the State law defines gambling as follows:

“A person engages in ‘gambling’ when he stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under his control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that he will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome.”

 “‘Professional player’ means a player who engages in gambling for a livelihood or who has derived at least twenty percent of his income in any one year within the past five years from acting solely as a player.”

Missouri has embraced  riverboat casinos and horse race betting for a long time. All through the 19th century, these commerce sectors were permitted to carry out operations without regulation. In 1905, the Missourian government took action against these outlets by criminalizing all bookmaking operations. In 1980 and 1984, charitable gambling and horse racing were once again legalized.

A few years later, in 1986, voters adopted the state lottery with a 70% approval rating, and lottery games were enacted, too. The first Missouri lottery game was held in 1988, and since that time, the lottery has become very popular in Missouri. All the revenues obtained from the lottery are committed to the state’s education fund.

Furthermore, in 1992, following a ballot initiative, the state of Missouri passed a constitutional amendment that legalized riverside gambling. State courts eventually removed this law in 1994, when the Missouri Riverboat Gambling Amendment passed a referendum with a 54% vote. A subsequent amendment four years later ( in 1998) permitted the creation of artificial ponds to support riverboat play.

Missouri is now home to 13 riverboat casino clusters in 10 cities across the state. There are casinos in St Charles, Kansas City, Riverside, Cape Girardeau, Caruthersville, Maryland Heights, St. Louis, Boonville, La Grange, and St. Joseph. This allows for tribal gambling. Besides all else, the “Cave dwellers” relish their slot games. This is why there are over 20,000 machine games in Missouri.

The casinos where the games are played must be located on boats, even though these water vessels do not necessarily need to sail away from the dock. Gambling boats and other floating facilities house craps, bingo, poker, and even blackjack. According to the law, gambling by charitable organizations is legal so long as the money garnered from the games is used for charitable deeds.

Even though Missouri legalized horse racing and other pari-mutuel betting, live tracks were never built in Missouri. Additionally, other elements of horse racing have disappeared from Missouri due to the massive popularity of casino games. A report given by the Missouri Gaming Commission established that the revenue obtained from gambling alone totaled $122.65 million in February 2022.

Unarguably, the Missouri government can be said to be basking in the benefits of a thriving gambling empire, as it is clear to all and sundry that Missouri gambling laws encourage several forms of legalized gambling. A publication by Forbes also hinted that Missouri has begun discussing incorporating sports betting and iGaming into their arsenal.

Overview of Regulations On Legal Online Poker Missouri

Due to the  reasons listed below, we are sure that Missouri would follow the lead of its neighboring states if they all began regulating online gambling. Firstly, the presence of huge casino companies that might want to dominate the upcoming online gambling groups. Secondly, the unspoken desire of the state to expand and gain control of its gambling base. Thirdly, there is a need to improve the state’’s economy through taxes and revenue from online betting.

MO Online Poker Sweepstakes

These casinos are simply a means for poker lovers to enjoy an online poker game without making a real money deposit. Here, players can freely engage in a legal online poker Missouri adventure and be rewarded with cash prizes. Sweepstakes are a great option for all sorts of online poker lovers. Sweepstakes casinos are also referred to as “social casinos”. This term, “social casinos”, stems from the fact that the operators of these games are available online. The games at these social casinos include play-money and sweepstakes games.

In the play-money games, gamers have to buy packages of “Gold Coins” to use as currency for the games. Having purchased Gold Coins, small amounts of “Sweepstakes Coins” are also awarded as a bonus. Gamers can now use these Sweepstake Coins to play the games and earn cash prizes. If you also pay attention to the betting world, you can acquire free coins through promotions offered by top betting sites like Pulsz Casino.

There are real money games like roulette and slots at sweepstakes casinos, and you can play these games for a chance to win real cash prizes. To operate in any sweepstakes casinos, you need to purchase a virtual currency package, which is typically accompanied by unique bonuses. For example, when you buy a hundred gold coins, you could get ten sweep coins. You can then proceed to play real casino games on the site. You can exchange these for real money prizes if you win sufficient gold coins.

Legality Of Sweepstake Online Poker Casinos In Missouri

Sweepstake casinos are grouped as social gambling in every state of the U.S. because, according to federal laws, these games are not real gambling. Unlike real money gambling, in sweepstakes games, players do not deposit real money for the games. This singular clause is the most powerful factor that excludes social gaming sites from legal persecution. Therefore, sweepstake online poker Missouri is entirely legal. However, you must not be younger than 21 if you want to indulge in these Missouri iGames.

Top Sweepstake Casinos for Missouri Online Poker

Even though the state’s law prohibits gambling sites within the state’s geography, residents of the state can engage in online poker via sites hosted outside of the state. Enough of asking, “are online poker sites legal in Missouri?” Delve into these trustworthy sites for an unforgettable game.

1. Global Poker

With sites like Global Poker, you can be sure of having a good time. Global Poker is not just a sweepstake poker platform but also a very dependable social gambling site. It offers players “Sweeps Coins” and “Gold Coins” games. You would have to pay for the Gold Coins to get some Sweeps Coins as a bonus. Through regular social media promotions and mail-in offers, you can get Sweeps Coins for free.

The Sweeps Coins could be used to play the sweepstakes games, aka Sweeps Coins games. While the Sweeps Coins carry no real cash value, they can earn you cash. You can use Sweeps Coins to play in ring games and tournaments. Visit the Global Poker casino to claim the free $20 Gold Coin offer, daily free Sweeps Coins when you log in, and to access several competitive tournament games.

2. Chumba Casino

At Chumba Casino, no purchase is necessary to enter the sweepstakes because premium Sweeps Coins cannot be purchased. But players can get $30 of Gold Coins for $10; a bonus of two Sweeps Coins for free at signup, and daily free Sweeps Coins when logging in.

When you purchase  Gold Coins (virtual currency) from Chumba Casino, you can only accumulate the coins to play with them. You cannot trade, transfer or exchange them for real money. When you win Sweeps Coins on Chumba Casino, you’ll be able to redeem them for real money prizes.

3. Pulsz Casino

Pulsz Casino is one of the newest sweepstakes casinos to debut, providing players with an array of slots and table game options where they can compete in a bid to win real money. At Pulsz, players can get 15 free sweepstakes coins with a good coin package and daily free sweepstakes when logged in. You can get started with 5,000 free Gold Coins and also be able to claim more every day through the regular competitions, daily login bonuses and massive giveaways.

Considering there are always free coins all around, players will never run out of slots fun. Pulsz Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for real money, and you can perform this transaction through online banking, gift cards and even Skrill.

How To Select Online Poker Real Money Missouri Sites?

1. Choose a Reputable and Genuine Site

The site’s  authenticity and legality are the foremost factors to consider when selecting a site for sweepstakes or real money games. This is the first thing to do before registering with any site, despite their sugar-coated ads and promotions. While it can be difficult to validate the genuineness of a host of sites before picking  your favorite, it is better to endure the pain and reap the gains of pure online fun.

It is unfortunate, but the truth is there are many fraudulent sites out there that would waste no time swindling players. Check out the reviews other players have left about  the site, conduct your own research on the platform’s licensing status, and leave no stone unturned to ensure your safety.

2. Site’s Responsiveness and Interface

At the end of the day, gambling is a recreational activity and should be enjoyed as such. Nothing dampens a player’s mood as much as an unresponsive user interface. Before you choose a real money site to stick with, ensure the site is free of clutter, excessive ads, and bugs. A platform that lags and is slow will not only compromise your gaming experience but could also diminish your appetite for the game altogether.

3. Promotions and Bonuses

Generally speaking, promotions and bonuses are fantastic tools that help to boost the amount of real money you have in your gambling account. In recent times, there has been an increase in the way sites are churning out promotions and bonuses, since the market has become more competitive. Some casinos will even offer match bonuses for first-time players. You would do well to use this to your advantage.

As much as you love to glean the bonuses being offered by a specific online poker real money Missouri site, challenges can arise in the form of “rollover bonuses”. Ensure that you understand how promotions and bonuses work before signing up at a new site.

4. Payment Methods Used by The Site

Another very important factor to consider before registering with an online poker Missouri site is the payment method. Most casinos would rather outsource their site’s payment portals to third-party service providers, such as PayPal, to avoid issues with the law. But each player has their own opinion about this. On the matter of payment, some customers might also prefer credit/debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, etc. Just carry out your research and be sure you are comfortable with the payment option before signing up.

FAQ

Are there any real money sites I can access in Missouri?

Although some real money sites in Missouri still exist where gaming is ongoing, you shouldn’t engage in gaming through these sites. Owing to the many legal consequences that the operators of these sites could suffer, they run their sites under the constant fear of being discovered. Not only will this reality haunt you throughout your gaming experience while on the site, but the site could also get shut down at any time. So, your funds, bonuses, and rewards could go to waste at any given time.

Which Online Poker Game Is the Easiest for A Beginner?

Everyone has an opinion about this topic, although most first-timers say that Texas Hold’em was the easiest in their book. In their opinion, it only took them a short time to master the ropes of the game. Well, almost every online poker site offers this game, and you can try it out if it suits you.

What Are the Advantages Of Playing Online Poker in Missouri?

Unlike the traditional poker experience, the online poker version of the games is by far the most attractive and extensive. Besides convenience and ease of access, these games comprise a wide variety of intense poker alternatives, multiplayer poker (Stud, Omaha, etc.), as well as different styles, speeds and so on. It’s the latest arrival in the feast of good things, so do not miss out on all of these.

Do Poker Sites in MO Offer Other Casino Games?

In answer to this question, it would be enough to say “it depends”. Several top-rated MO poker sites are available, and they offer their clients what they deem fit for the market. This is why some might focus solely on the poker games and their varieties, while others offer a wide range of engaging casino games. Do your research; there is no one-size-fits-all poker site.