Local Prosecutor in Missouri Readies to Enforce New Gambling Machine Mandates

Missouri prosecutors are preparing to get tougher on gambling machines, which were recently deemed to be illegal, although the referring judge stopped short of calling them “slots” or “gambling,” noting that it was not down for him to decide this.

Missouri’s Counties Ready to Act Against Gambling Machines

In the meantime, Charles County Prosecutor Joseph McCulloch has said that his office is ready to take action, giving businesses until April 1, 2026, to comply by removing these devices from their premises or face legal retribution. 

“I think there’s going to be legal battles, so I don’t think that this is settled completely. But as far as I’m concerned, right now it is settled as far as criminal law interpretation,” McCulloch explained.

In other words, prosecutors now have the legal basis to act on and forcibly remove the machines. 

Torch Electronics, the company that maintains the machines, has battling long in the courts to prove that they are closer to games of skill, but the recent ruling sided with a previous interpretation from 2025 when a grand jury decided that there was indeed no “skill element” and ‘chance” was all there was to the games. 

Businesses will now take a hit, as gambling machines have long been touted as a lifeline, with the pandemic exemplifying their importance to sustaining small business owners such as gas stations and pit stops. 

Torch Electronics is trying to keep a brave face in the meantime, arguing that the matter is still unresolved.

“This is still the subject of ongoing litigation, and the Judge has not yet entered a final judgment. That said, Torch will be appealing any adverse court findings, as we are confident our machines adhere to both the letter and the spirit of Missouri law,” a company spokesperson said. 

St. Louis County is going even a step further, and it would consider revoking liquor licenses if a property does not remove these gambling machines. In the meantime, a bill was narrowly passed in the House, following a successful vote in the Senate.