Missouri cracks down on video lottery terminals after court ruling

A court ruling just upended Missouri's $1B+ VLT industry. Now, operators like Torch Electronics face probes—and lawmakers scramble for solutions.

, and Administrator

2026 March 14 . 1:01 AM

1 min read

The image shows a black and white drawing of a factory with smoke coming out of its chimneys,... — The image shows a black and white drawing of a factory with smoke coming out of its chimneys, surrounded by buildings, trees, plants, grass, and a fence. At the bottom of the image, there is text which reads "New York State Penitentiary".

Missouri cracks down on video lottery terminals after court ruling

Missouri's Attorney General, Catherine Hanaway, has launched an investigation into video lottery terminals (VLTs) across the state. The move follows a recent court ruling that declared these machines illegal gambling devices. Around 25,000 VLTs currently operate in Missouri, with major providers like Torch Electronics managing a large share of them.

On February 13, 2026, U.S. District Judge John A. Ross ruled that VLTs qualify as illegal gambling machines. Despite this, past attempts to shut them down have stalled due to strong lobbying from operators, including Torch Electronics. The company, which runs a significant portion of the state's VLTs, has not yet been contacted by investigators but claims it will cooperate if needed.

Hanaway's team is now examining the games, locations, and financial flows tied to these terminals. She has stated that her office will enforce the current law until VLTs are officially legalised. Meanwhile, some Missouri lawmakers are pushing for a bill to regulate and legalise the machines. TNT Amusements, another major provider, has been involved in ongoing litigation against Torch Electronics. The industry's future remains uncertain as legal battles and regulatory discussions continue.

The investigation will determine how enforcement actions proceed against VLT operators. Until new laws pass, Hanaway's office will treat the machines as illegal. The outcome could reshape Missouri's gambling landscape, affecting both providers and lawmakers.