Missouri 'no chance' slot machines misled public, jury rules

ST. LOUIS - A federal jury found a leading operator of unregulated slot machines in Missouri liable for false advertising and unfair competition related to the company’s promotion of “no chance” gambling devices.

The verdict, returned Monday, awarded $500,000 in damages to TNT Amusements, a supplier of traditional bar games, after the company accused Torch Electronics of misleading marketing practices that pushed its games out of Missouri bars, truck stops and convenience stores.

Torch Electronics was found liable for false advertising under federal and state laws, according to the verdict.

“We are grateful to the jury for seeing through Torch’s false advertising," said Richard Finneran, a TNT lawyer in a statement to FOX 2. "Now that the jury has rendered its verdict, we look forward to seeking an official judgment from the court as to the illegality of the Torch devices."

Torch Electronics, founded by Stephen Miltenberger operates thousands of "no chance" gaming machines across Missouri. The devices resemble slot machines found in casinos but typically claim that players can see or predict the outcome before playing, a feature that has sparked controversy, court fights and legislative efforts over their legality as gambling device.

Monday's verdict could set the stage for another procedural ruling on whether Torch's machines violate Missouri gambling laws. Missouri law broadly defines a legal gambling device as any machine on which a player risks money on the outcome of a game of chance where the result cannot be fully determined by skill.

If a judge finds any violations, it could give local prosecutors and the Missouri Attorney General a clear legal basis to seize the machines, pursue criminal charges, or order their removal from businesses across the state.

“TNT will seek disgorgement of the millions in profits that Torch has obtained by falsely advertising its devices as legal ‘no chance’ games,” Finneran added in a statement on Monday's verdict.

FOX 2 has also reached out to lawyers representing Torch Electronics, but our requests for comment have not been returned as of this story's initial publication.