In a significant move against illegal gambling, Missouri’s Attorney General, Catherine Hanaway, has filed criminal charges against a Greene County convenience store for housing unregulated video lottery terminals (VLTs). The charges, which include two felony counts of promoting gambling in the first degree, target Himanshu Patel, the managing officer of Briarwood One Stop, located southwest of Springfield. Alongside the criminal charges, Hanaway’s office has filed a civil lawsuit seeking a permanent injunction to prevent the store from offering gambling services.

Statewide Initiative to Curb Illegal Gambling

This action is part of a broader, state-led initiative to crack down on illegal gambling devices, which have proliferated in convenience stores, bars, and other local establishments. The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s investigation, which was conducted in coordination with the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, uncovered 12 VLTs at the Briarwood One Stop, along with more than $30,000 in cash. The machines were reportedly supplied by Wildwood-based Torch Electronics, a key player in the VLT industry.

The legal action follows an increasing crackdown on illegal gambling in Missouri, fueled by a growing concern over the machines’ operation in violation of Missouri’s Merchandising Practices Act and other local gambling laws. “Businesses that allow illegal gambling to operate under their roofs are making a deliberate choice to put profit over public safety,” Hanaway said in a statement, reiterating her commitment to eradicating unregulated gambling operations.

While this marks the first criminal case of its kind in Greene County, the state’s push against VLTs has been building momentum for months. In Springfield, the local police department issued nearly 450 citations for similar violations following the City Council’s 2024 ordinance, which sought to prohibit VLTs within city limits. Despite the ordinance, many businesses continued to defy local regulations, leading to increased pressure from both state and local authorities.

“We’ve seen a lot of businesses, from convenience stores to bars and restaurants, that have essentially ignored our local ordinance,” Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams remarked. He expressed hope that the state’s involvement would encourage further compliance from local businesses, stating that the criminal charges should serve as a warning for others. “The goal is to get these machines out and bring peace of mind to our neighborhoods.”

Torch Electronics Faces Legal Scrutiny

As reported by Springfield News-Leader, legal experts have noted that the VLTs, operated by Torch Electronics, were previously able to thrive in a legal gray area, as the machines were often described as “no-chance games.” This classification, however, has recently been challenged in court. In a landmark decision, a federal judge ruled that the machines, which offer players a view of the outcome before they place a bet, fall under the category of gambling devices and are therefore illegal in non-casino settings.

The state’s battle with Torch Electronics is expected to continue, as the company has maintained that its machines are legally compliant. Torch’s legal counsel, Chuck Hatfield, has previously defended the machines, arguing that many law enforcement officials who reviewed them deemed them legal. “These games have been around for years, and no previous attorney general thought prosecution was warranted,” Hatfield said, emphasizing that Torch believed a jury would side with the company if the case went to trial.

Hanaway’s office, however, has signaled that the fight against illegal gambling is far from over. While this case focuses on a small, local business, Hanaway hinted at broader actions against major suppliers and operators within the industry. The state is prepared to take further steps if businesses continue to house illegal gambling devices, emphasizing the urgency of compliance.

This case is also tied to wider legislative efforts to regulate VLTs in Missouri. In February, the Missouri House passed a bill that would legalize these machines, though it still awaits approval in the state Senate. The bill’s proponents argue that legalizing VLTs could bring significant revenue to the state, though opponents, including lawmakers and activists concerned about the machines’ potential for fostering addiction, have pushed back on the proposal.

In the meantime, Missouri authorities are pressing ahead with their enforcement efforts, with Attorney General Hanaway urging businesses statewide to remove illegal machines before facing legal consequences. “The best way to stay out of trouble is to unplug them, shut them down, and return them to whoever brought them to your store,” she advised.