Missouri Bar Challenges Attorney General’s Efforts to Regulate Slot-Style Machines
Missouri Bar Owner Challenges Authority of Attorney General
A bar owner in Missouri has initiated a legal challenge against Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, accusing her of overstepping her powers in a statewide crackdown on unregulated slot-style gambling machines.
Dispute Over Legal Authority to Ban Machines
The lawsuit, filed last week in Cole County Circuit Court by James Schappe, owner of Tuners Bar & Grill, raises important questions about the future of video lottery terminals in Missouri. These machines have become increasingly widespread in local establishments like bars, restaurants, truck stops, and convenience stores.
Central to the case is whether Attorney General Hanaway can use a federal court ruling concerning a different gaming operator to compel businesses to remove these gambling devices.
According to the lawsuit, the current Missouri laws neither prohibit nor regulate video lottery games. Since lawmakers have yet to provide clear legislation on the matter, Schappe argues that the attorney general does not have the authority to ban the devices through enforcement actions.
The suit asserts that decisions on how to handle these machines — whether to legalize, regulate, or prohibit them — should be made by the Missouri General Assembly, not the attorney general’s office.
Since taking office, Hanaway has prioritized eliminating illegal gambling machines, maintaining that many devices operating statewide are in violation of Missouri gambling statutes. Her office has utilized existing legal measures and court decisions to challenge operators who continue offering these games.
Legal Ambiguity Surrounding Slot-Style Machines
The slot-style machines occupy a legal gray zone in Missouri. Supporters claim some machines involve games of skill rather than chance, possibly exempting them from traditional gambling laws. Opponents argue that these terminals function similarly to slot machines and therefore should be regulated or removed.
This debate has intensified as the number of these machines has rapidly increased throughout the state. Efforts by legislators to address the issue have repeatedly stalled, resulting in uncertainty for regulators, law enforcement, and business owners about how these devices should be treated under Missouri law.
For establishments like Tuners Bar & Grill, these machines represent a significant source of revenue. Business owners warn that eliminating the machines without clear legislative guidance could negatively impact small businesses that depend on this income.
The ongoing lawsuit now calls on the state court to decide whether the attorney general’s crackdown is legally justified or if the matter should be resolved by lawmakers through formal legislation.
