Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/aces-cards-gambling-poker-chips-6784543/
This is all great news for sports betting fans, but what about poker players? Well, unfortunately, online casino games, including poker, still remaign illegal in Missouri. They are not covered by the new sports betting regulations, which means that poker fans still have to go to riverboat casinos or play sweepstakes.
But there is hope, especially after the legalization of sports betting. Maybe things will change and Missouri will become the next state that legalize online casino gambling. Let’s talk more about what this means for poker players.
Why Sports Betting Matters to Poker Players
Although it doesn’t seem like it, Missouri's new law will impact poker players one way or another. The Amendment 2 greenlights up to 19 retail and 21 online sports betting licenses, and this is a big game-changer for the entire gambling industry. Poker is not covered by this law, and it still remains legal only in the state’s 13 casinos and online via sweepstakes sites. But with the arrival of sports betting, which promises to generate millions in taxes over the next five years, that will help boost the state’s economy, things might change.
Right now, this change doesn’t mean much for poker players, unless they are also sports fans. But the introduction of online sports betting in the state of Missouri can change how lawmakers view the online gambling world, which will eventually lead to the legalization of online casinos.
As online casino games grow in popularity, it is only a matter of time until they are legalized in every state in the United States. And the legalization of online sports betting can only speed things up. No state has legalized online casino games first, which means that sports betting is a natural path that all states go through until we see a law that regulates online casinos.
Busier Casino Poker Rooms
Sports betting’s launch on December 1, 2025, will draw crowds to Missouri’s riverboat casinos, the only spots for legal poker rooms. If you are a sports fan, then you should be excited about this change. Finally, you can make a bet on your favorite team from home through an app, but before you do that, make sure to claim the sign up bonuses that some Missouri sportsbooks offer on the link below:
https://www.youbet.com/sports-news/missouri-sportsbook-sign-up-bonus/
With retail sportsbooks opening at casinos and near stadiums, attendance could skyrocket. This means fuller poker tables, especially at venues like Hollywood Casino St. Louis or Ameristar Kansas City, which already host Texas Hold’em and Omaha games. For players, busier rooms could mean bigger prize pools but also longer waits for seats.
Potential for Online Poker Expansion
Missouri’s poker players are limited to Global Poker, a sweepstakes site, as traditional online poker remains illegal. Sports betting’s online rollout, with up to 21 licenses, might spark hope for legal online poker.
States like New Jersey and Pennsylvania legalized online poker alongside sports betting, but Missouri’s Amendment 2 focuses solely on sports. For now, players must stick to riverboats or Global Poker, but long-term, online poker could join the table if revenue impresses legislators.
Cross-Promotion and New Players
Sports betting’s hype, backed by $40 million in investments, will flood casinos with new faces. These bettors, drawn by Chiefs games or Cardinals odds, might try poker, especially with cross-promotions like “bet $50, get a poker tourney entry,” common in states like Nevada.
Casinos could offer poker lessons or low-stakes tables to lure rookies, boosting player pools. For seasoned players, this means softer games but also teaching newbies the ropes, potentially growing Missouri’s poker community.
Regulatory and Tax Considerations
The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) will oversee sports betting, enforcing a 21+ age limit and a 10% tax on profits after promotional deductions. Poker, already regulated at casinos, won’t see direct tax changes, but increased casino revenue (projected at $21.8 billion in bets over five years) could fund better poker facilities or tournaments.
However, the MGC’s focus on sports betting might delay poker-related upgrades. Players should also note that promotional credits for sports betting, deductible up to 25%, won’t apply to poker winnings, which remain fully taxable.
Final Words
So, should poker players expect a drastic change after the legalization of online sports betting in Missouri? Well, not really. Advancements in regulations towards online casinos are slow and require time.
This is a step in the right direction, and it might have an indirect effect on the entire online poker climate in the state. Since some of the casinos will also offer sports betting, which might lure new fans, we can expect more people to get interested in poker. This becomes like a domino effect, and as more people are interested, there is a greater chance that online casino games will be the next one for legalization.