Missouri GOP Senate Primaries Could Determine Fate of Gas Station Slot Machines
Three GOP Senate primaries in August will decide if Missouri lawmakers finally approve slot machines in gas stations after years of House passage and Senate rejection.
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI — The debate over legalizing slot machines in Missouri gas stations and convenience stores has moved from the state Capitol to three Republican Senate primary races that could influence the chamber’s stance on gambling expansion.
Video lottery supporters are hopeful that the 2027 legislative session might see a more receptive Senate after years of resistance to bills that have passed the House. Three August primary contests involving key gambling legislation backers will be crucial in determining the future of this initiative.
Key Primary Races to Watch
In the 8th District covering southeast Jackson County, Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit faces former state Rep. Dan Stacy of Blue Springs. Patterson has become the top recipient of gambling industry donations since early 2025, receiving contributions through both his campaign committee and the associated Missouri Alliance political action committee.
The 16th District race along Interstate 44 from Rolla to Lebanon features state Rep. Bill Hardwick of Dixon, who sponsored the video lottery bill that passed the House in both 2025 and 2026. Hardwick faces state Rep. Don Mayhew of Crocker, former state Rep. Hannah Kelly of Norwood, and Phillip Lohmann of Rolla in the Republican primary.
A third contested race in the 20th District covers rural parts of Greene County, though the source material cuts off before providing complete details about this contest.
Legislative Background
Hardwick’s legislation would authorize slot machines licensed by the Missouri Lottery for placement in gas stations and convenience stores across the state. The proposal has successfully navigated the House in consecutive years but has faced consistent opposition in the Senate.
The bill aims to regulate what supporters describe as gray-market gambling machines already operating in some Missouri establishments. Video lottery backers argue the legislation would bring oversight and tax revenue to an activity currently happening without state regulation.
Opposition Arguments
Several candidates in these primary races have argued that Missouri should not expand gambling without direct voter approval. This position reflects broader conservative concerns about expanding gaming beyond what voters have previously authorized through ballot measures.
The outcome of these three Senate primaries could significantly alter the chamber’s composition regarding gambling legislation. If video lottery supporters win their races, proponents believe they will have assembled enough votes to advance the proposal in 2027.
Missouri’s current gambling laws allow riverboat casinos and the state lottery, both approved by voters in previous decades. The proposed video lottery terminals would represent a new form of legalized gambling that has generated debate about the appropriate process for such expansions.
The August primaries will test whether Republican voters in these districts support candidates who back gambling expansion or those who prefer to maintain current restrictions. The results could determine whether gas station slot machines become reality in Missouri or remain stalled in the legislative process.
