As lawyers turn to a state appeals court for a decision on the future of unregulated slot machines in Missouri, the ongoing expansion of the industry can be seen up close in gas stations and convenience stores across St. Louis.
Since 2019, the number of the potentially illegal gambling terminals registered in the city has ballooned fivefold, from about 50 machines to more than 250.
According to documents obtained through the Sunshine Law, St. Louis License Collector Mavis Thompson awarded the amusement decals to Wildwood-based Torch Electronics in July at a rate of $10 per sticker.
The license collector’s office issues permits for a wide range of businesses in St. Louis. One category includes coin-operated amusement devices such as pool tables, jukeboxes and, in the case of Torch’s machines, the gaming terminals.
