yea, its illegal.........Missouri law below............probably get probation if caught first time unless you are dealing in big money
Gambling.
572.020.
1. A person commits the crime of gambling if he knowingly engages in gambling.
2. Gambling is a class C misdemeanor unless:
(1) It is committed by a professional player, in which case it is a class D felony; or
(2) The person knowingly engages in gambling with a minor, in which case it is a class B misdemeanor.
Promoting gambling in the first degree.
572.030.
1. A person commits the crime of promoting gambling in the first degree if he knowingly advances or profits from unlawful gambling or lottery activity by:
(1) Setting up and operating a gambling device to the extent that more than one hundred dollars of money is gambled upon or by means of the device in any one day, or setting up and operating any slot machine; or
(2) Engaging in bookmaking to the extent that he receives or accepts in any one day more than one bet and a total of more than one hundred dollars in bets; or
(3) Receiving in connection with a lottery or policy or enterprise:
(a) Money or written records from a person other than a player whose chances or plays are represented by such money or records; or
(b) More than one hundred dollars in any one day of money played in the scheme or enterprise; or
(c) Something of value played in the scheme or enterprise with a fair market value exceeding one hundred dollars in any one day.
2. Promoting gambling in the first degree is a class D felony.
Promoting gambling in the second degree.
572.040.
1. A person commits the crime of promoting gambling in the second degree if he knowingly advances or profits from unlawful gambling or lottery activity.
2. Promoting gambling in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.
Possession of gambling records in the first degree.
572.050.
1. A person commits the crime of possession of gambling records in the first degree if, with knowledge of the contents thereof, he possesses any gambling record of a kind used:
(1) In the operation or promotion of a bookmaking scheme or enterprise, and constituting, reflecting or representing more than five bets totaling more than five hundred dollars; or
(2) In the operation, promotion or playing of a lottery or policy scheme or enterprise, and constituting, reflecting or representing more than five hundred plays or chances therein.
2. A person does not commit a crime under subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of this section if the gambling record possessed by the defendant constituted, reflected or represented bets of the defendant himself in a number not exceeding ten.
3. The defendant shall have the burden of injecting the issue under subsection 2.
4. Possession of gambling records in the first degree is a class D felony.
Possession of gambling records in the second degree.
572.060.
1. A person commits the crime of possession of gambling records in the second degree if, with knowledge of the contents thereof, he possesses any gambling record of a kind used:
(1) In the operation or promotion of a bookmaking scheme or enterprise; or
(2) In the operation, promotion or playing of a lottery or policy scheme or enterprise.
2. A person does not commit a crime under subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of this section if the gambling record possessed by the defendant constituted, reflected or represented bets of the defendant himself in a number not exceeding ten.
3. The defendant shall have the burden of injecting the issue under subsection 2.
4. Possession of gambling records in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.
Possession of a gambling device.
572.070.
1. A person commits the crime of possession of a gambling device if, with knowledge of the character thereof, he manufactures, sells, transports, places or possesses, or conducts or negotiates any transaction affecting or designed to affect ownership, custody or use of:
(1) A slot machine; or
(2) Any other gambling device, knowing or having reason to believe that it is to be used in the state of Missouri in the advancement of unlawful gambling activity.
2. Possession of a gambling device is a class A misdemeanor.
Lottery offenses--no defense.
572.080.
It is no defense under any section of this chapter relating to a lottery that the lottery itself is drawn or conducted outside Missouri and is not in violation of the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is drawn or conducted.
Gambling houses, public nuisances--abatement.
572.090.
1. Any room, building or other structure regularly used for any unlawful gambling activity prohibited by this chapter is a public nuisance.
2. The attorney general, circuit attorney or prosecuting attorney may, in addition to all criminal sanctions, prosecute a suit in equity to enjoin the nuisance. If the court finds that the owner of the room, building or structure knew or had reason to believe that the premises were being used regularly for unlawful gambling activity, the court may order that the premises shall not be occupied or used for such period as the court may determine, not to exceed one year.
3. Appeals shall be allowed from the judgment of the court as in other civil actions.
Preemption--exclusions.
572.100.
The general assembly by enacting this chapter intends to preempt any other regulation of the area covered by this chapter. No governmental subdivision or agency may enact or enforce a law that regulates or makes any conduct in the area covered by this chapter an offense, or the subject of a criminal or civil penalty or sanction of any kind. The term "gambling", as used in this chapter, does not include licensed activities under sections 313.800 to 313.840, RSMo.
Duties of prosecuting attorneys.
572.110.
It shall be the duty of the circuit attorneys and prosecuting attorneys in their respective jurisdictions to enforce the provisions of this chapter, and the attorney general shall have a concurrent duty to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
Forfeiture of gambling devices, records and money.
572.120.
Any gambling device or gambling record, or any money used as bets or stakes in unlawful gambling activity, possessed or used in violation of this chapter may be seized by any peace officer and is forfeited to the state. Forfeiture procedures shall be conducted as provided by rule of court. Forfeited money and the proceeds from the sale of forfeited property shall be paid into the school fund of the county. Any forfeited gambling device or record not needed in connection with any proceedings under this chapter and which has no legitimate use shall be ordered publicly destroyed.
Antique slot machines exempt from section 572.120, when.
572.125.
1. It shall be an affirmative defense to any prosecution under this chapter relating to slot machines, if the defendant shows that the slot machine is an antique slot machine and was not operated for gambling purposes while in the defendant's possession. For the purposes of this section, an antique slot machine is one which is over thirty years old.
2. Notwithstanding section 572.120, whenever the defense provided by subsection 1 of this section is offered, no slot machine seized from any defendant shall be destroyed or otherwise altered until after a final court determination that such defense is not applicable. If the defense is applicable, any such slot machine shall be returned pursuant to provisions of law providing for the return of property