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Can I offer contests that involve chance-based games in Missouri? What are the requirements?

Yes, it is possible to offer contests that involve chance-based games in Missouri, but certain requirements must be met.

Requirements for Fantasy Sports Contests

Fantasy sports contests conducted under the Missouri Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act are exempt from gambling laws [1.1]. However, a fantasy sports contest operator must apply for and receive a license from the Missouri Gaming Commission before offering fantasy sports contests for play in Missouri [1.1][4.1]. The application process includes demonstrating experience, reputation, competence, and financial responsibility consistent with the best interest of the Missouri fantasy sports industry and in compliance with the laws of the state [1.1][4.1]. The commission may refuse to license any applicant or revoke or suspend the license of any applicant or licensee for various reasons [1.1].

Requirements for Parimutuel Draw Games

For parimutuel draw games, the total amount of prize money allocated to the winnings pool for draw games shall be a minimum of forty-five percent (45%) of the total gross draw games sales [2.2]. The allocation of the draw games winnings to the prize categories shall be announced by the director at least one (1) week prior to the effective date of this rule and one (1) week prior to any future changes in the allocation [2.2]. The prize money allocated to each of the winning prize categories will be divided equally by the number of plays determined to be winning plays for that prize [2.2].

Operational Requirements for Fantasy Sports Contest Operators

Each licensed operator of fantasy sports contests must maintain certain procedures and descriptions of security standards, measures to determine the true identity, date of birth, and address of each player, measures to clearly and conspicuously publish and facilitate parental control procedures, standards and procedures to monitor FSC to detect the use of unauthorized scripts, procedures to clearly and conspicuously identify highly experienced players in FSC, online self-exclusion process, and method used to determine the geographical position of a player at the time of entry into any FSC [4.2].

Draw Games Ticket Validation Requirements

For draw games, all of the following requirements must be met for a draw games ticket to be a valid draw games winning ticket:

  • The ticket validation number shall be presented in its entirety and shall correspond using the computer validation file to the selected numbers displayed on the ticket for the data displayed on the ticket;
  • The ticket shall not be altered, reconstituted, or tampered with in any manner;
  • The ticket shall not be counterfeit or a duplicate of another winning ticket;
  • The ticket shall have been issued by the lottery through a retailer in an authorized manner;
  • The ticket shall not have been canceled;
  • The ticket shall be validated in accordance with procedures for claiming and payment of prizes;
  • The ticket data shall have been recorded in the computer gaming system before the drawing; and
  • The player-selected numbers/wagers, the validation number data, and the drawing date of an apparent winning ticket shall appear on the official file of winning tickets and may not have been previously paid [2.1].

Prizes Other than Cash or its Equivalent Authorized

The Missouri Lottery may award any of the following prizes: cash or its equivalent, when such goods are made in the United States and sold by a Missouri business. For purposes of this rule, the term “goods made in the United States” is defined as a good, product, or service where no less than the final stages of production occur in the United States and which is purchased from an individual, partnership, company, or corporation licensed to do business in Missouri [3.1].

Therefore, if you want to offer contests that involve chance-based games in Missouri, you must comply with the requirements set forth by the Missouri Gaming Commission, the Missouri Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act, and the Missouri Lottery.

Source(s):
Jurisdiction

Missouri