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Missouri Skill Games Lawsuit, Year by Year: How TNT v. Torch Led to a Gambling Device Ruling and Torch's Shutdown

By GamesOfSkillMag Editorial7 min read
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Jurisdiction: Missouri. Timeline reflects sources dated through May 6, 2026.

The Missouri skill games lawsuit brought by TNT Amusements Inc. against Torch Electronics has led to a federal jury verdict for TNT, a February 2026 federal ruling that Torch's "no-chance" machines violate Missouri law outside licensed casinos, and, in April 2026, Torch's agreement to suspend all operations during a joint federal and state criminal investigation. Below is the record year by year, with each fact tied to its source.

2017 to 2020: The machines and the rivalry

Torch, based in Wildwood, Missouri, began placing its machines in 2017, according to Yogonet and the Missouri Independent. The Independent reported that each machine has at least five game themes with several play levels, plus a button that reveals the outcome of the next play. Outcomes run in sequence, but from a random starting point each time the game is turned on or rebooted. Torch calls them "no-chance games" because of the preview and the sequence. A state gaming commission opinion cited by Judge John Ross found that the number of possible starting points makes them an illegal game of chance.

The Independent also reported that Jim Turntine, owner of TNT, "has been fighting with Torch since at least 2020."

2023: The federal complaint

TNT, doing business as Play-Mor Coin-Op, makes non-gambling arcade and touch-screen games (St. Louis Magazine). It filed TNT Amusements, Inc. v. Torch Electronics et al., Case No. 4:23-CV-330-JAR, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in March 2023 (Missouri Lawyers Media). The claims included false advertising, unfair competition and criminal conspiracy (RICO) theories.

That same year, according to the Missouri Independent, then-Attorney General Andrew Bailey withdrew from defending the Missouri State Highway Patrol in a lawsuit filed by Torch, after accepting $14,000 for his campaign and $12,000 for his PAC from Torch-funded committees.

The March ruling: Conspiracy claims dismissed

In a March ruling described by the Missouri Independent, Ross dismissed the RICO claims. He wrote that a Chicago attorney's opinion letter and prosecutors' decisions not to charge were "evidence of 'plausible deniability' (that) does effectively negate the element of specific criminal intent." The Independent reported that he also found a jury could reasonably conclude Torch lied about the legality of its games. Financial records cited in that order showed $32 million spent from 2017 to 2023 at 20 locations (about 100 machines) where TNT also had games. Torch split $11 million with retailers, leaving about 65% for prizes. Those figures cover only the shared locations.

October 2025: Verdict for TNT

The false advertising and unfair competition claims went to trial in St. Louis. Torch was represented by Todd Graves, a former U.S. Attorney, and TNT by Rich Finneran, the 2020 Democratic nominee for attorney general (St. Louis Magazine). Jurors were asked whether Torch falsely stated, among other things, that "this amusement device does not fit any definition of a 'gambling device' in the state of Missouri."

On Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, the jury found for TNT and ordered Torch to pay $500,000 for losses from unfair competition (Missouri Independent). Finneran said TNT would seek "disgorgement of the millions in profits that Torch has obtained through falsely advertising its devices as 'no-chance' games." Torch spokesman Gregg Keller said "Torch will appeal the verdict" (Yogonet). The Independent attributed an estimate of about 15,000 Torch machines statewide to Missouri Gaming Commission experts. It also reported that Torch gave just under $600,000 in 2025 to seven PACs controlled by its chief lobbyist, former House Speaker Steve Tilley.

February 2026: Ross rules on the machines

On Feb. 13, 2026, Ross held that the "no-chance" games violate state law outside licensed casinos, citing Mo. Rev. Stat. § 572.010 and 18 U.S.C. § 1955 (Missouri Lawyers Media). He wrote: "There are no discernible patterns within the sequential pools of prize multipliers. There is nothing a player can do to alter the payout amount of a turn before or after the player inserts money." On the prize viewer, he wrote: "Defendants' argument is unavailing."

Torch said it remained confident its games comply with the law and planned to appeal (KY3). Attorney General Catherine Hanaway told KY3 that her office has "the resources... to go up against these very well-funded owners." On Feb. 17, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page signed an executive order threatening liquor licenses of about 400 businesses with the machines in unincorporated St. Louis County (St. Louis Magazine).

February to May 2026: Legalization fails

On Feb. 18, the Missouri House passed Rep. Bill Hardwick's bill to legalize video lottery terminals under the State Lottery Commission, 83-66. It set a $4 maximum wager, eight machines per retailer and 31% of adjusted gross revenue to the commission (KCUR). On May 6, the Senate select committee on gaming voted 5-0 against HB 2989 (Spectrum News). Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O'Laughlin said "if we want to expand gaming, we can put it on the ballot."

April 2026: Torch suspends operations

The Missouri Attorney General's April 8 release said Torch agreed to suspend all operations effective April 10, 2026, following a joint criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney's offices for the Eastern and Western districts and the AG's office. Torch's letter to retailers said prosecutors "have indicated they are going to move forward with criminal investigations and proceedings" (Casino.org, which separately estimates 14,000 to 20,000 gray-market machines in Missouri). Hanaway said other terms were still being discussed (News Tribune). On April 21 she told KY3: "They have 1,600 locations. They've disabled 700." She cited a May 1 window before business owners still running machines could face charges. KY3 found some machines still running near Springfield.

What remains open

As of Oct. 1, 2026, our research found no source showing whether an appeal has been filed, a final judgment entered, or TNT's disgorgement request decided. We found no reporting of charges against other operators.

For operators

The Feb. 13 ruling turned on chance under Missouri's gambling device statute, and the preview feature did not change that result in this court. That describes one ruling in one jurisdiction; it is not a determination about any other machine or state. Editorial recommendation: when evaluating suppliers, document legal claims and their sources using our vendor comparison checklist, and take legal questions to qualified counsel.

Sources

Reporting is for information, not legal advice. A vendor listing or the term skill game does not establish a machine's legality in any jurisdiction.

AI assistance was used in preparing this article. Consult primary sources and qualified counsel for legal decisions.

Frequently asked questions

What was the Missouri skill games lawsuit against Torch Electronics?

TNT Amusements Inc., d/b/a Play-Mor Coin-Op, sued Torch Electronics in March 2023 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Case No. 4:23-CV-330-JAR. A jury found for TNT on Oct. 6, 2025, and ordered Torch to pay $500,000 for losses from unfair competition.

Did a court rule Torch's no-chance machines are illegal in Missouri?

On Feb. 13, 2026, Senior District Judge John Ross held that the games violate Missouri law outside licensed casinos, citing Mo. Rev. Stat. § 572.010 and 18 U.S.C. § 1955, according to Missouri Lawyers Media. Torch said it planned to appeal.

Why did Torch Electronics stop operating in Missouri?

The Missouri Attorney General announced on April 8, 2026, that Torch agreed to suspend all operations effective April 10, 2026, following a joint criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney's offices for the Eastern and Western districts of Missouri and the AG's office.

Did Missouri legalize video lottery terminals in 2026?

No. The House passed a VLT bill 83-66 in February 2026, but the Senate select committee on gaming voted 5-0 against HB 2989 on May 6, 2026, according to Spectrum News.