Local Casinos in Missouri - Riverboat Gambling

Q: Why are Missouri casinos on water?

State law requires casinos to be located on or near waterways, originally to preserve the “riverboat gambling” concept. Many are now permanently docked but still meet the legal requirement.

Q: Can you smoke in Missouri casinos?

Smoking policies vary by property. Some casinos allow smoking on parts of the gaming floor, while others have designated non-smoking areas or are fully smoke-free.

Q: Do Missouri casinos have sportsbooks?

As of now, Missouri has not fully legalized sports betting. Therefore, casinos do not operate traditional sportsbooks.

Q: Are drinks free while gambling?

Complimentary drinks are often available for active players, especially on the gaming floor. Policies can vary depending on the casino and level of play.

Q: Are local casinos open 24 hours?

Most Missouri riverboat locations operate 24/7. However, some amenities like restaurants or entertainment venues may have limited hours.

Q: Are there limits on how much you can bet?

Betting limits vary by game and location. Table games typically have posted minimums and maximums, while slot machines offer a wide range of bet levels.

Q: Where are most casinos located in Missouri?

Most gambling houses are located near major rivers in cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, and along the Mississippi River. This is due to the state’s riverboat requirements.

Missouri is home to 13 licensed casinos, all of which operate as commercial riverboat-style gaming venues. These properties offer a mix of Class III gaming, including slot machines, table games, and, at select locations, poker rooms. Their locations and operations are shaped by current state laws that require casinos to be on or near water.

While all gaming destinations are currently commercial, there are ongoing plans for what could become Missouri’s first tribal casino, proposed by the Osage Nation near Lake of the Ozarks. If approved at the federal level, this development would operate under different regulations than the state’s commercial gaming facilities and could introduce a new type of gaming venue to the state.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at the gaming options available in the state, how they compare in terms of size and amenities, what players can expect when visiting each location, and iGaming options found at sites vetted by OnlineMissouriCasinos.com.

Table of Contents

Local Destinations

Due to Missouri’s unique gambling laws, all casinos in the state are required to be located on or within close proximity to a navigable body of water, a rule rooted in the original legalization of riverboat gambling in the early 1990s. As a result, every licensed site operates along major waterways such as the Mississippi River and Missouri River, or within specially constructed basins connected to them. While many properties are now permanently docked and resemble traditional land-based casinos, they still comply with these legal requirements.

Within these venues, players can enjoy full Class III gaming, including thousands of slot machines, a wide range of table games like blackjack, roulette, and craps, as well as poker at select locations. However, despite ongoing legislative efforts, sports betting has not yet been legalized at the state level, meaning no in-person or mobile sportsbooks are currently available at local gambling venues.

Kansas City / Western Missouri

Ameristar Casino Hotel — Kansas City, MO

Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City is a large riverfront gaming destination featuring an expansive game room floor with a wide mix of slots and table games, along with a lively entertainment atmosphere.

The property includes multiple restaurants, a movie theater, and a hotel tower, making it a full-service resort popular with both locals and visitors.

Slots: 1,600+
Table Games: 60+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 180+

Argosy — Riverside, MO

Argosy Casino Riverside offers a comfortable gaming experience just outside downtown Kansas City, with a well-rounded mix of slots and table games in a relaxed setting.

The venue features several dining options and a hotel, making it a convenient stay-and-play destination.

Slots: 1,500+
Table Games: 45+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 250+

Bally’s Kansas City — Kansas City, MO

Bally’s Kansas City provides a smaller, more intimate gambling environment with a solid selection of slots and table games along the Missouri River.

While it lacks a hotel, the property focuses on straightforward gaming and casual dining options.

Slots: 900+
Table Games: 25+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: ❌

Harrah’s North Kansas City — North Kansas City, MO

Harrah’s North Kansas City is a well-established gambling resort offering a spacious gaming floor, diverse table games, and a consistently active player base.

The property includes multiple restaurants, a hotel, and regular promotions, making it one of the area’s most popular gambling facilities.

Slots: 1,200+
Table Games: 40+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 350+

St. Louis Area / Eastern Missouri

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa — St. Charles, MO

Ameristar St. Charles is one of Missouri’s premier gambling resorts, featuring a large gaming floor, upscale amenities, and a strong mix of slots and table games.

The property includes a luxury hotel, spa, pool complex, and multiple dining options, creating a high-end resort experience near St. Louis.

Slots: 1,700+
Table Games: 60+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 390+

Hollywood Casino — Maryland Heights (St. Louis), MO

Hollywood offers a large, modern gaming space with a wide selection of slots and table games, plus a dedicated poker room for card players.

Located near major attractions, the property also features dining, entertainment, and hotel accommodations.

Slots: 2,000+
Table Games: 70+
Poker Room: ✅
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 500+

Horseshoe Casino — St. Louis, MO

Horseshoe St. Louis delivers a high-energy gaming environment in downtown St. Louis, known for its extensive selection of table games and a popular poker room.

The property includes multiple restaurants, entertainment venues, and hotel access connected to the gaming complex.

Slots: 1,600+
Table Games: 100+
Poker Room: ✅
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 300+

River City Casino — St. Louis, MO

River City is a modern and stylish gaming destination with a strong mix of slots and table games in a contemporary setting.

The property emphasizes dining and entertainment, with several restaurants and a boutique hotel attached to the game room.

Slots: 1,900+
Table Games: 55+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 200+

Other Missouri Locations

Century Casino — Cape Girardeau, MO

Century is a mid-sized riverfront venue offering a balanced selection of slots and table games in a relaxed, scenic setting.

The property includes casual dining options and focuses on a straightforward gaming experience.

Slots: 800+
Table Games: 20+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: ❌

Century Casino — Caruthersville, MO

Century Casino Caruthersville is a smaller, traditional riverboat venue that provides a simple and approachable gaming environment.

It offers a modest mix of slots and table games along with basic amenities for local players.

Slots: 600+
Table Games: 15+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: ❌

Isle of Capri Casino — Boonville, MO

Isle of Capri Boonville offers a classic riverboat experience with a comfortable selection of slots and table games.

The property includes dining options and a hotel, appealing to guests seeking a quieter gaming getaway.

Slots: 900+
Table Games: 20+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 140+

Mark Twain Casino — La Grange, MO

Mark Twain is a smaller, laid-back gaming property located along the Mississippi River, offering a handful of slots and table games in a relaxed setting.

This location includes a hotel and basic amenities, catering primarily to regional visitors.

Slots: 700+
Table Games: 10+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: 100+

St. Jo Frontier Casino — St. Joseph, MO

St. Jo Frontier is a modest riverboat destination featuring a modest selection of slots and table games in a casual environment.

The property focuses on gaming and dining, without an attached hotel, making it a convenient local option.

Slots: 800+
Table Games: 15+
Poker Room: ❌
Sportsbook: ❌
Rooms: ❌

Tribal Casinos – Pending Approval

The Osage Casino at Lake of the Ozarks is one of the most talked-about potential new gaming developments in Missouri, but it is still not yet built and remains in the approval phase.

The Osage Nation has proposed a $60M–$100M gaming resort on a 28-acre site near Lake Ozark, marking what would be the first tribal gaming destination in the state. The development is proposed as a full entertainment venue, combining gaming, hospitality, and tourism amenities in a popular vacation region.

Gambling Age Requirements

In Missouri, the minimum gambling age depends on the type of gaming activity, with the state maintaining clear distinctions between casino gambling and other regulated forms. The Missouri Gaming Commission enforces these age limits to ensure compliance across all licensed operators, and valid identification is required at all gaming facilities.

Casino Gambling (riverboat): 21+
Online Casinos (offshore only): 18+
Sports Betting (offshore only): 18+
Lottery: 18+
Charitable Gaming: 18+

These age requirements are strictly enforced statewide.

Local Gaming Regulation

Missouri has a tightly regulated casino industry built around a unique “riverboat” framework established in the 1990s, which legally requires gambling venues to operate on or near waterways. All gaming activity is overseen by the Missouri Gaming Commission, which enforces strict licensing, auditing, and compliance standards to ensure fairness.

The state limits licenses to 13 properties and restricts gambling primarily to physical locations. Local operators are subject to rigorous background checks and ongoing oversight. Overall, the state’s regulatory system emphasizes controlled expansion, consumer protection, and the use of gaming revenue to support public programs such as education.

How Local & Online Casinos Compare

In Missouri, local and offshore casinos offer very different experiences, primarily due to regulation and accessibility.

The state’s licensed venues provide a fully regulated, in-person gaming environment with state-regulated oversight, ensuring fair play, secure transactions, and consumer protections. In contrast, offshore online casinos operate outside U.S. jurisdiction, making them more accessible from home and often offering a wider range of casino games and bonuses. Oversight is conducted by a trusted gaming commission that ensures the games operate under international standards for fair play.