The big Walmart Supercenter on the edge of town doesn’t look the same anymore. What used to be a regular Walmart is now also operating as a full casino.
Over the past few weeks, workers cleared out large parts of the store and brought in hundreds of slot machines, roulette tables, blackjack stations, and other games. The bright “Rollback Jackpots” and “Everyday Low Slots” signs are now hanging right next to the regular Walmart branding. Customers walking in for groceries or household items are greeted with the sounds of slot machines and flashing lights.
Employees say the change happened pretty quickly. Sections that used to hold groceries, electronics, and clothing were rearranged so the casino could take up a big portion of the floor space. You can still buy milk, bread, toilet paper, and clothes, but now you can also sit down at a blackjack table or pull the lever on a slot machine while you wait.
One employee who has worked there for several years told us, “It’s weird. People come in for their normal shopping and end up spending an hour or two playing the slots. Some of them leave with a bucket of coins instead of grocery bags.”
Walmart hasn’t put out a big official announcement about the change, but people who work there say the company noticed how customers already treated shopping like a gamble — spending hours looking for deals, rolling the dice on clearance items, and hoping they got the best price. They decided to lean into that and make it official.
The parking lot has been busier than usual since the casino opened. Some locals think it’s a fun new thing for Branson and will bring more tourists to the area. Others aren’t so sure.
“I used to bring my kids here for school supplies,” one mother said. “Now I’m not sure it’s the same kind of place.”
So far the casino side seems to be following normal gaming rules. The store is still open every day with regular shopping hours. Early visitors say the “Rollback Jackpot” promotions have been pretty active, and a few people have already walked out with small wins.
This is the latest big change for the Walmart in Branson. People around here will be watching to see how it goes and whether more stores try something similar in the future.
