Gaming machine ban leads to business, liquor license denials in Springfield

The city of Springfield has released a list of 38 business licenses and 12 liquor licenses that were not renewed following last year's ban on cash-prize gaming machines.

Springfield Business Journal requested the list of the impacted businesses, following a statement released yesterday in response to a lawsuit against the city by convenience store operator Rapid Robert's Inc. In that lawsuit, Rapid Robert's alleges the city unlawfully denied its business and liquor licenses due to the ordinance.

Charles W. Hatfield, a partner with Stinson LLP who is representing Rapid Robert's in the lawsuit, said via email that the convenience stores continue to operate amid an appeal process.

"The city can't just unilaterally shut them down without allowing them an appeal. They have licenses unless and until an appellate process addresses the city's decision," Hatfield said via email.

In its statement provided by spokesperson Cora Scott, city officials said the municipality "does not issue business or liquor licenses to businesses who are in violation of city code."

The city business licenses, denied renewal in June 2024 because of gaming machines on the premises, are as follows:
• Diamond Smoke Shop, 1406 W. Sunshine St.
• Discount Express, 3450 W. Division St.
• Discount Smokes and Beer, 635 S. Kimbrough Ave.
• Eagle Stop, 820 E. Battlefield Road
• Eagle Stop, 2959 N. Grant Ave.
• Eagle Stop, 5384 S. Campbell Ave.
• Eagle Stop, 3459 W. Division St.
• Fast N Friendly, 2766 N. Kansas Expressway
• Fast N Friendly, 1451 N. Kansas Expressway
• Fast N Friendly, 427 S. Glenstone Ave.
• Fast N Friendly, 3249 E. Evans Road
• Fast N Friendly, 3015 S. Scenic Ave.
• Fast N Friendly, 501 W. Chestnut Expressway
• Fast N Friendly, 3109 W. Sunshine St.
• Fast N Friendly, 2341 W. Division St.
• Fast N Friendly, 2745 S. Kansas Expressway
• Joji Quick Stop, 2631 N. Glenstone Ave.
• Mustang Tobacco Shop, 1410 E. Kearney St.
• Rapid Robert's, 3106 W. Battlefield Road
• Rapid Robert's, 2208 S. Glenstone Ave.
• Rapid Robert's, 945 S. Campbell Ave.
• Rapid Robert's, 1402 E. Republic Road
• Rapid Robert's, 320 W. Sunshine St.
• Rapid Robert's, 3351 E. Sunshine St.
• Rapid Robert's, 3165 N. Glenstone Ave.
• Rapid Robert's, 1655 S. Kansas Expressway
• Rapid Robert's, 1357 S. Glenstone Ave.
• Rapid Robert's, 3317 E. Kearney St.
• Rapid Robert's, 3405 S. Campbell Ave.
• Rapid Robert's, 1211 E. Grand St.
• W. F. Cody's, 3136 E. Sunshine St. (restaurant business license)
• W. F. Cody's, 3136 E. Sunshine St. (billiard parlor business license)
• White Oak Station, 1472 E. Kearney St.
• White Oak Station, 310 S. Scenic Ave.
• White Oak Station, 2506 W. College Road
• White Oak Station, 2953 N. National Ave.
• White Oak Station, 1550 N. Glenstone Ave.
• Wicked Superstore, 425 E. Kearney St.

City officials noted the business license for the Rapid Robert's store at 945 S. Campbell Ave. has been renewed following the removal of gaming machines.

The city liquor licenses, denied renewal in 2025 to-date because of gaming machines on the premises, are as follows:
• Git-N-Go, 3030 S. Jefferson Ave.
• Rapid Robert's, 3106 W. Battlefield Road
• Rapid Robert's, 2208 S. Glenstone Ave.
• Rapid Robert's, 1402 E. Republic Road
• Rapid Robert's, 320 W. Sunshine St.
• Rapid Robert's, 3351 E. Sunshine St.
• Rapid Robert's, 3165 N. Glenstone Ave.
• Rapid Robert's, 1655 S. Kansas Expressway
• Rapid Robert's, 1357 S. Glenstone Ave.
• Rapid Robert's, 3317 E. Kearney St.
• Rapid Robert's, 3405 S. Campbell Ave.
• Rapid Robert's, 1211 E. Grand St.

City officials say police officers have written 220 citations since the ordinance went into effect in February 2024, with 190 prosecutions pending and the first scheduled for trial in March. The city additionally has seized 24 machines owned by Torch Electronics LLC, according to the statement.

The Jan. 22 lawsuit by Rapid Robert's seeks a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief, according to past reporting.

This is a developing story. Springfield Business Journal is reaching out to the businesses that were denied license renewals to determine the status of appeals.