A class-action lawsuit filed in Missouri last week accuses an operator of lottery machines, a gas station chain owner, and several other individuals of corruption and racketeering involving the machines across the state.

It could have political implications for the ongoing attempt to legalize sports betting in the Missouri legislature, with the issue becoming increasingly linked to the existence and regulation of the slot machines.

The class-action suit, filed March 3 in Missouri’s Western District federal court, outlines an alleged corruption scheme between several entities…

It is filed on behalf of seven Missourians who allege they have played Torch’s machines on several occasions and lost money from them.