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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. Since the boats are not required to cruise, almost all casinos are built on a barge which gives them the appearance of a land-based building, rather than a riverboat.
When Missouri’s riverboat casinos first began operating they were required to cruise and they all conducted two-hour gaming sessions with a $500 loss-limit on each session. In early 2000 the law was changed to allow continuous boardings and cruising was no longer required. In November 2008 the state’s $500 loss limit provision was eliminated as the result of a state-wide referendum.
Unlike dockside gaming in Mississippi, most Missouri casinos are not open 24 hours and the hours of operation are listed for each casino.
Here’s information from the Missouri Gaming Commission regarding the payback percentages for each casino’s electronic machines for the 12-month period from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010:
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CASINO
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PAYBACK %
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Isle of Capri - Booneville
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91.60
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Terrible's Mark Twain
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91.53
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River City*
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91.48
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Terrible's St. Jo
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91.44
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Harrah’s M.H.
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91.00
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Ameristar- St. Charles
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90.95
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Lumiere Place
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90.92
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Harrah’s - K.C
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90.79
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Ameristar- K.C.
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90.76
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Isle of Capri - K.C.
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90.75
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Argosy
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90.68
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Lady Luck
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89.61
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* Please note that the figures for River City Casino only reflect from it’s opening date on March 4, 2010 on.
These figures reflect the total percentages returned by each casino for all of their electronic machines including slot machines, video poker, video keno, etc.
Unless otherwise noted, all casinos offer: slots, video poker, craps, blackjack, roulette, and three card poker. Optional games include: baccarat (B), mini-baccarat (MB), caribbean stud poker (CSP), poker (P), pai gow poker (PGP), let it ride (LIR), Spanish 21 (S21), and four card poker (FCP).
If you want to order a drink while playing, be aware that Missouri gaming regulations do not allow casinos to provide free alcoholic beverages. The minimum gambling age is 21.
NOTE: If you happen to win a jackpot of $1,200 or more in Missouri, the casino will withhold 4% of your winnings for the Missouri Department of Revenue. If you want to try and get that money refunded, you will be required to file a state income tax return and, depending on the details of your return, you may get some of the money returned to you. The $1,200 threshold would also apply to any cash prizes won in casino drawings or tournaments.
For more information on visiting Missouri call the state’s Travel Center at (800) 877-1234 or go to: www.visitmo.com
Shown below is a list of all Missouri casinos. Click on a casino name to see a page of detailed information about that particular casino.
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