Missouri Stores Pull Slot-Like Machines Amid Legal Crackdown

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-03-31

A major Missouri convenience store chain is taking action to avoid legal trouble. Rapid Roberts, a chain with 34 locations across the state, has removed video gaming terminals from its stores. These machines look and function just like slot machines, providing extra revenue for many small businesses. The company's COO, Todd Wilson, confirmed the removal to local news. He said not every store had the machines, but they've been taken out of all locations that did. The manufacturer, Torch Electronics, collected the machines at the chain's request. It's unclear exactly how many machines were sent back. Neither Wilson nor Torch Electronics' attorney knows the precise number. This move highlights the growing tension between businesses and state authorities over these controversial devices. ### A Senator Speaks Out Missouri State Senator Curtis Trent isn't happy about the situation. He blames the state government, not Rapid Roberts, for creating this mess. In a letter to Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, Trent pointed out that previous state administrations had told businesses these machines were legal. "Your recent actions have created significant confusion," Trent wrote. He argued business owners acted in good faith, believing they were operating legally. Many relied on this extra income to stay afloat. Trent criticized what he called "aggressive enforcement steps" by the state. He doesn't believe harassing taxpayers serves the public interest. His request was simple: give organizations written notice and 30 days to comply before bringing serious charges.  ### The State's Stance Gets Tough Rapid Roberts' decision didn't happen in a vacuum. It came just two weeks after the state announced its first criminal charges related to these video gaming terminals. The target was Himanshu Patel, owner of Briarwood One Stop gas station in Brookline. Patel faces two counts of promoting gambling for having the machines in his store. The case began when a state trooper visited the location, played a machine, and declared it a gambling device. Authorities seized a dozen machines from the store in March. Attorney General Hanaway was clear in her warning to other businesses. "No matter what you've been told by vendors, they're illegal," she stated at a press conference. Her advice was straightforward: unplug them, shut them down, and return them. Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams expressed frustration too. He said venues with these machines have ignored local ordinances, creating problems for law enforcement and citizens alike. ### The Legal Gray Area Not everyone agrees with the state's position. Chuck Hatfield, attorney for Torch Electronics, strongly disagrees with Hanaway's assessment. He suggests the Attorney General should consult with local officials who've actually examined the games. "They found them to be legal," Hatfield told reporters. This disagreement highlights the core problem—what Senator Trent calls "ambiguous points of law" that Missouri has historically failed to clarify. Here's what business owners are facing right now: - Conflicting legal opinions from different state administrations - Criminal charges for what was previously considered legal - Loss of significant revenue streams - Uncertainty about future enforcement actions Rapid Roberts has been operating since 1983, employing over 200 people across Missouri. Their decision to remove the machines shows how seriously they're taking the legal threat. Other businesses are likely watching closely, wondering if they'll need to make the same difficult choice. The situation leaves many questions unanswered. Will more charges follow? How will other businesses respond? And most importantly, when will the state provide clear, consistent guidance that doesn't leave business owners caught in legal crossfire?