US EditionMissouri's Largest Provider of Illegal Gambling Devices Agrees to Suspend All Operations
The company said it will turn off the games as state and federal prosecutors continue a criminal investigation and seek enforcement action.
- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced Wednesday that Torch Electronics, the state's largest provider of illegal gambling devices, will suspend all operations effective Friday, April 10, 2026, amid a joint state-federal criminal investigation.
- U.S. District Judge John Ross declared in February that Torch's machines "meet the statutory definition of" gambling devices, effectively eliminating the legal gray-market arguments the company previously used to avoid prosecution.
- Industry estimates suggest 30,000 to 40,000 unregulated machines operate across Missouri, while gambling interests contributed $3.3 million to political campaigns since 2025 per records analyzed during the video lottery bill debate.
- Torch stated it will remove games while awaiting "clarity on the new legislation," hoping for a regulated product; Hanaway called the suspension a "tremendous step forward" but vowed to continue enforcement against other operators.
- Despite the suspension, Hanaway's office and the U.S. Attorneys are continuing their joint criminal investigation, signaling authorities will still seek enforcement actions against other manufacturers and retail stores facilitating illegal gambling.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Missouri's biggest video gambling machine supplier is pulling the plug this week
The machines — which are found in many gas stations, bars and convenience stores — have been a flashpoint in Missouri public policy circles for years. A federal judge recently ruled the devices are illegal gambling machines.
Missouri Independent
Missouri company behind gas station slot machines suspending operations amid criminal probe
Two "no-chance" gambling machines await customers in 2021 at a Columbia convenience store (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).After years of legal battles to protect its business from criminal prosecution, Torch Electronics will suspend operations of its slot machines in Missouri under pressure from state Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and the U.S. Department of Justice. In a letter sent to retailers on Monday, the Wildwood-based company said…
Torch Electronics halts operations in Missouri after criminal probe
Torch Electronics, the largest maker of video lottery terminals, has agreed to suspend all operations across Missouri beginning Friday, April 10, following a criminal investigation by the Attorney General's office. The post Torch Electronics agrees to suspend slot machines in Missouri after criminal probe appeared first on Springfield Daily Citizen.
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