Missouri AG Targets Alleged Illegal Gambling Machines

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The Missouri Attorney General's Office has filed suit against five retail shops in southeast Missouri for operating illegal gambling machines, which can be found in convenience stores and other retail locations around the state. Attorney General Catherine Hanaway says providing public access to the unlicensed and unregulated games is a violation of state law and puts local communities at risk.

Why it matters

The crackdown on alleged illegal gambling machines is part of a broader effort by the Missouri Attorney General's Office to address unlicensed and unregulated gambling activities that have proliferated across the state, often in low-income communities. The state is seeking injunctive relief and potential felony charges against the operators.

The details

The state has already filed at least three misdemeanor criminal cases in the Lake Ozark area - two in Lake Ozark and one in Camdenton - against locations providing the alleged illegal gambling machines to the public.

• The state Attorney General's Office filed the civil suit against the five retail shops on February 11, 2026.

What’s next

The judge will consider the state's request for injunctive relief against the retail shops, and prosecutors may pursue felony charges against the alleged gambling machine operators.