Legal Poker For Missouri Residents
The state of Missouri is not necessarily known for its permissive attitudes toward gambling—but that hardly means legal Missouri poker opportunities are non-existent. On the contrary, those who live in the state and wish to play cards can do so, so long as they know where and how to do it. For example, Missouri does not condone acts of gambling, yet poker games played in Missouri riverboat casinos are perfectly legal, and indeed, they are licensed and regulated by the state. There are also opportunities to play poker in private homes and in online poker rooms; if these forms of gambling are not expressly approved by the state government, they are still safe options for Missouri poker fanatics.
This page was designed as an educational resource, meant to provide Missouri gamers with some insights into the poker opportunities that are open to them. The page will first weigh some of the realities of Missouri’s gambling laws, especially those that relate to poker. We will then consider some of the specific avenues for playing live, land-based poker in Missouri. From there, we will conclude with some remarks about online poker in the state of Missouri.
Missouri Poker Laws & Statutes
Of course, travelling to a riverboat casino is not always convenient for Missouri gamers, which is why so many wish to know more about online poker opportunities. Is online poker legal in Missouri? The answer, strictly speaking, is no; the state does not overtly approve of online poker. With that said, Missouri poker lovers can play in online poker rooms totally unafraid of legal consequences.
That’s an important distinction to make—the difference between state-sanctioned gambling, and gambling that is safe and secure. Missouri’s law books do not offer any concessions for online poker, yet neither do Missouri authorities penalize those who play in online poker rooms. We will discuss the intricacies of these laws in the next section of the page.
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in Missouri?
We will first consider the legality of live, land-based poker games in Missouri. Once more, these games are not legal, with the obvious exception of casino play. It may not be known as a gamer-friendly state, but Missouri does a few licensed and regulated riverboat casinos where poker enthusiasts can play without fear of legal woes.
Can I Get into Trouble for Playing Online Poker Missouri?
The obvious question that Missouri poker fans will want to ask is that of whether they will get into any kind of trouble for frequenting online poker rooms. The answer is no, they will not. Once more, the important thing to note is the big gulf that lies between full legality, and safety.
You see, Missouri’s poker laws do not penalize those who play in online poker sites. There are laws in place, both on the state and federal levels, which punish those who own and operate online poker sites. Those who simply wish to play are on solid legal footing, however. And by seeking out reputable and above-board poker sites, Missouri gamblers can avoid even the hint of legal trouble.
Legal Poker Sites That Accept Missouri Players
With several casinos scattered across the state, Missouri residents can begin to believe their only options for playing poker lie in making a long drive to a musty poker room where they must abide by a seemingly arbitrary set of rules in order to play some cards and earn a couple buck. Fortunately, that is not the case. Thousands of Missouri residents have already come to know the pleasures of playing in legal online poker rooms, and below is a listing of some of the best available.
Bovada Poker - Most Trusted Online Poker Room For Missouri
Missouri residents are often seeking the perfect marriage between value and quality, and for those residents, Bovada provides a shining beacon that other legal poker sites can only hope to strive towards. After over 20 years of service to US citizens, more and more Missouri residents are finding the great variety of poker games available through Bovada to be freeing compared to their restrictive, land based poker rooms. Whether a user wants to play mainly for recreation with a $2 buy in to a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, an intense game of five card stud for $100 a hand or anything in between, Bovada hosts it all.
The most assuring thing about an account with Bovada is the confidence they exude in their product. They’re so confident in fact that they are willing to let new users practically walk off with free money just for using their poker room. When new players sign up and make their first deposit, as long as their account is active enough, they may earn 100% of their deposit back in bonus money. Win or lose, new players are eligible for this deal, it’s a sweet enough incentive to have anyone from Missouri itching to visit the Bovada poker room as soon as possible.
BetOnline Poker - All Missouri Players 18+ Welcome Here
For those living in Missouri seeking out a long standing name in the legal online poker community that is synonymous with legitimacy and great service, BetOnline's poker room could be the home they’re looking for. This legal poker site has long been a host to some of the most diverse and comprehensive poker games available, catering simultaneously to the seasoned poker veterans and newcomers to the game through the great variety offered in their poker tables.
Perhaps the best quality about BetOnline is their cashier, which makes it easier to deposit and withdraw money than any legal poker site on the internet. This online poker room for Missouri residents not only offers the most deposit and withdrawal options compared to any of their competition, but the fees are the absolute lowest in the business. After they register for an account at BetOnline poker, users need not spend too much time worrying about their accounts, and they can just focus on making online poker fun and profitable.
| Legal Missouri Poker Sites | Welcome Bonus | What To Play | Site Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Poker Play / Sign Up | $1,000 FREE - 100% Match | Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo - Stud Hi/Lo |  |
| BetOnline Poker Play / Sign Up | Maximum $1K: 200% Rate | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| SportsBetting Play / Sign Up | 200% Match / $1,000 Max | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| 5Dimes Poker Play / Sign Up | Vary Weekly - Check Website | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo |  |
Does Missouri Have Legal Land-Based Poker?
The next question is this: Where can Missouri residents turn for opportunities to play poker? There are a few land-based options, of course, in particular the several riverboat casinos in the state. Whether you wish to travel to these casinos in order to gamble is a matter of personal preference, of course, and may depend on where in Missouri you live. With that said, these casinos are really the only options for live, casino-style play in the state of Missouri.
Beyond that, there are plenty of places to play online. Indeed, online poker rooms are not hard to come by, and many of them are both inviting and reputable. In fact, most online poker rooms will prove more than happy to welcome Missouri gamers. Missouri gamers, in turn, can play without any worries about legal trouble.
Legal Land-Based Poker Rooms For Missouri Players
We will first consider the legality of live, land-based poker games in Missouri. Once more, these games are not legal, with the obvious exception of casino play. It may not be known as a gamer-friendly state, but Missouri does a few licensed and regulated riverboat casinos where poker enthusiasts can play without fear of legal woes.
Future of Poker/Online Poker in Missouri
Where are Missouri’s poker laws headed? That’s a compelling question, but not one with an easy answer. Again, Missouri is not exactly known as the most gamer-friendly state in the country, so it is unlikely that the state will fully legalize all forms of poker by tomorrow. With that said, more and more states are growing laxer and laxer about gaming, and about online gaming in particular—which makes the widespread acceptance of online poker seem almost inevitable.
For now, Missouri natives can feel comfortable and safe playing in online poker rooms, without needing to worry about legal consequences. Beyond that, there are some casinos in the state that Missouri’s lawmakers fully support. Gamers in Missouri will want to note that, at this point, these are the only real options for safe Missouri poker playing.
