Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has filed civil lawsuits against five retail businesses in Dunklin County, alleging they operate illegal, unregulated gambling machines. The Tuesday action targets convenience and liquor stores, marking an escalation in the state’s long-running battle over these controversial devices.
Targets of the Crackdown
The lawsuits name Discount Spirits and Tobacco, Kennett Liquor and Tobacco, Laura’s Mini Mart in Kennett, and Dixie Package and Swindle’s Quick Shop in Malden. Hanaway stated these businesses turned a “blind eye” to what her office calls illegal gambling and vowed to “shut illegal gaming and gambling machines down.”
| Legal Actions in Dunklin County | Details |
|---|---|
| Civil Lawsuits Filed By | MO Attorney General Catherine Hanaway |
| Number of Businesses Sued | Five retail shops |
| Criminal Charges Filed By | Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain |
Shifting Enforcement Landscape
Hanaway’s approach marks a departure from previous administrations. Her predecessor, Andrew Bailey, generally declined prosecution in similar cases, a pattern established over two decades despite investigations by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. This reluctance created a legal gray area that machine operators have leveraged, arguing their devices comply with state law.
Recent Legal Precedent
A federal jury ruling in October 2025 provides new momentum for enforcement. The jury determined that machines manufactured by Torch Electronics meet the legal definition of gambling, weakening industry arguments and emboldening state action against individual store owners.
Public opinion on pursuing the machines remains divided. The concurrent civil and criminal actions against these five businesses will test whether this new enforcement strategy can successfully resolve Missouri’s two-decade impasse over unregulated gambling devices.
