Dan Shaul, R-Imperial, said the machines are more controversial than any other gambling issue that will be tackled by the Missouri General Assembly next year.Īt the heart of the issue is whether games played on the machines technically meet the definition of gambling. At a time when most people assumed the hot topic in gambling would be whether to legalize sports betting, the gray machines have taken center stage. That’s created a headache for lawmakers in Jefferson City.

They are often called gray machines, because of their appearance - many are physically gray on the outside - as well as their regulatory status.

These new devices operate outside of the standard gambling world and aren’t subject to any gambling taxes or fees. Most of that money goes to public schools and universities. Gambling taxes raised at least $710 million for state and local governments during the last annual budget cycle. The impact could extend well beyond the world of casinos, bingo halls and lottery games. Their growing presence has raised the hackles of state regulators and the traditional gambling industry, which says the machines are draining business from them. Thousands of new gaming devices have been popping up at gas stations, veterans homes, union halls and fraternal lodges across the state. They sound like slot machines.īut they aren’t in casinos - which is the only place you are supposed to be able to find slot machines in Missouri.

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