Changes to Missouri gambling law open the door for landbased properties

A new law in Missouri that defines a boat as a building with a small swimming pool inside of it could make it easier for casino developers in the Show-Me State.

Under state law, gambling is only allowed on an “excursion gambling boat” located on the Missouri or Mississippi rivers. Isle of Capri in Kansas City was built in 1996 for $110m on a small artificial lake about 400 ft from the Missouri River.

However, Senate Bill 26, signed by the governor Mike Parson in July, makes several changes to Missouri gaming legislation.

The definition of an excursion gambling boat has been modified to include a “non-floating facility”, with at least two thousand gallons of water, either in an enclosed space or in rigid or semi-rigid storage containers or structures, inside or beneath it. Nevertheless, this facility still has to be located within 1,000 ft of the Missouri or Mississippi River.