Missouri gaming fans will finally see a resolution to a state gaming case, but perhaps not the outcome they would have desired. Per a recent report, the legal limbo in which gambling machines in Missouri have been suspended may be coming to an end thanks to a recent judicial ruling. Moreover, US District Judge John A. Ross may have finally brought some relief in a high-profile case that has had business owners, gambling machine manufacturers, and lawmakers on edge for years now. Judge Ross has ruled that gambling machines such as the ones distributed by Torch Electronics are indeed “gambling devices,” and not “games of skill,” which effectively means that they must be regulated under Missouri gambling laws.
For this report, SBS will be going over the latest reports coming from the Show-Me State, along with some interesting notes and news coming from the region and beyond.
Noted in the report as added clarification, an ongoing debate raged over whether venues that are not casinos could host these machines. It is an existential question not just for Torch Electronics but also for many small businesses that argue that these machines bring in a fair amount of their revenue. Under Judge Ross’s ruling, however, they would not be allowed to continue providing what was previously argued to be “games of skill” when, in reality, the state is now closer to considering them “games of chance” instead. Regulators, the article notes, would now have a firmer hand in enforcing Missouri’s gambling laws and going after venues that offer the machines. The case has been litigated since 2019, when TNT Amusements, a company that distributes coin-operated arcade games, went after Torch Electronics.
The company alleged, per sources, that Torch Electronics had convinced the state to supplant TNT Amusement’s arcades for these new gambling machines, which were effectively a form of illegal gambling. Moreover, the case was moved to federal court in 2023 and secured an “early win” in 2025, when a jury found that claims about the absence of chance in Torch Electronics’ games did not correspond to the reality of what these games were. That September win, though, was an important change in how the case was framed. For example, TNT Amusements did receive $500,000 in damages, but the company also managed to convince the court to also now look into whether Torch Electronics’ machines were indeed subject to regulation under Missouri gambling law, as Judge Ross recently decided.
Covered in the same article, Judge Ross has indeed argued that the presented evidence suggested that there were “multiple elements of chance” built into the games. Judge Ross also cited a ruling from the state of Tennessee from July 2025, when a local court also said that is not accurate for the company to insist on the lack of chance in its games, when it was clearly there. One important distinction Judge Ross made, however, was that he would not qualify the gambling machines offered by Torch Electronics as “slot machines,” as he felt that it was not for him to decide this. Of course, with Missouri stepping up enforcement efforts against the sector, Judge Ross’ ruling will provide clarity in enforcing the matter.
In other Missouri gaming news, legislation creating a state-run video lottery system to replace and regulate “gray market” slot machines narrowly passed the Missouri House in late February. These machines have proliferated for years in gas stations, bars, and fraternal halls across the state and won passage by just a single vote. The bill, which now heads to the Missouri Senate for consideration, is the culmination of years of efforts by lawmakers to rein in the burgeoning industry that has operated in a legal gray area of state law.
Additionally, under the legislation, the Missouri Lottery would have the authority to license video games for installation in retail locations across the state. The licensed machines would have to pay out at least 80% of the money wagered as prizes, and about one-third of the profits would be dedicated to state education programs. Moreover, the bill would also impose a 3% tax on video lottery profits to aid local governments and would increase the fee casinos pay for each patron who enters the gaming floor from $2 to $2. The House also adopted several amendments to the bill, including one adding an annual $250 fee per machine to go towards disability services. Companies profiting from unregulated convenience store slot machines would have also one year to pull their games off the market, the report notes.
Once you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gaming updates coming from Missouri, make sure to check out the excellent array of information for you only at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis on the state covered in the report, make sure to peruse the sports betting in Missouri guide, which containsa bunch of helpful information coming from the region. Conversely, for those interested in maximizing their wagers, the best bonus betting sites rundown is a must-read page. On this page, you can find a catalogue of the latest and greatest welcome bonus offers available to you. Additionally, for those interested and qualified, the BetOnline sportsbook review breakdown is a must-read page that goes over a variety of great information from the site for patrons.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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