In November, 1992 Missouri voters approved a state-wide referendum to allow riverboat gambling. That made Missouri the fifth state to approve this form of gambling. There is no limit to the number of licenses that may be issued by the state’s gaming commission and all boats remain dockside.

Missouri’s riverboat casinos initially conducted two-hour gaming sessions with a $500 loss-limit on each session. In early 2000 the law was changed to allow offer continuous boardings. However, the state’s loss limit provision is still in force and you are not allowed to lose more than $500 within a two-hour period. All casinos base that two-hour period beginning on even hour times: 12-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12.

When you first enter a casino you must present an ID to receive a slot club card which will be used to track your chip and/or slot token purchases. Once you have purchased $500 worth of chips or tokens you will not be able to buy anymore until the beginning of the next even hour. There is no limit on winnings.

Admission is free to all Missouri  casinos except for the President and Aztar. However, if you’re a rated player from another casino you may get free admission to those casinos. Call ahead to ask them about their requirements.

Unlike dockside gaming in Mississippi,  most Missouri casinos are not open 24 hours and the hours of operation are listed for each casino.

Unless otherwise noted, all casinos offer: slots, video poker, craps, blackjack, roulette and Caribbean stud poker. Optional games include: baccarat (B), mini-baccarat (MB), poker (P), pai gow poker (PGP), let it ride (Let it Ride), Spanish 21 (S21) and three-card poker (Three Card Poker). The minimum gambling age is 21.

For more information on visiting Missouri call the state’s Travel Center at (800) 877-1234.