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In Missouri, two lawmakers are pushing plans to legalize video gambling in bars and fraternal organizations as a way to generate money for education.
In Illinois, Sen. James Clayborne, D-Belleville, has introduced a proposal to allow slot machines at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison,
a car racing track located just minutes from downtown St. Louis.
In both states, the proposals would allow video gambling in establishments where it has previously been prohibited.
In Missouri, the legislation would allow as many as five video gambling machines in taverns and restaurants and as many as
10 machines for benevolent organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The state would then collect a split of the money generated by the machines.
Missouri Rep. Bart Korman, R-Warrenton, is sponsoring one of the measures. He said the revenue could help pad the state’s checkbook.
“When you look at the budget situation we have, I think it’s something we need to have a conversation about,” Korman said.
In particular, he’d like to see revenue generated by the slot machines to go toward schools.
“The cost of busing is an important issue in rural areas,” Korman said. “Student transportation has been cut year after year.”
A similar proposal sponsored by Missouri Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, would earmark 35 percent of the receipts generated by video gambling for higher education.
The legislation is similar to a measure approved in Illinois in 2009; it didn’t get underway until 2012.
Since then, Illinois has seen an explosion in the number of establishments offering video gambling.
After four years, the number of businesses with at least one terminal tops 5,700. The total number of machines is nearing 25,000, according to statistics compiled by the Illinois Gaming Commission.
Video gambling generated $277 million for Illinois in 2016. Local governments received $55.4 million.
Bringing a mini-casino to the Gateway racetrack would add to that total.
SOURCE- STL TODAY
In Illinois, Sen. James Clayborne, D-Belleville, has introduced a proposal to allow slot machines at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison,
a car racing track located just minutes from downtown St. Louis.
In both states, the proposals would allow video gambling in establishments where it has previously been prohibited.
In Missouri, the legislation would allow as many as five video gambling machines in taverns and restaurants and as many as
10 machines for benevolent organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The state would then collect a split of the money generated by the machines.
Missouri Rep. Bart Korman, R-Warrenton, is sponsoring one of the measures. He said the revenue could help pad the state’s checkbook.
“When you look at the budget situation we have, I think it’s something we need to have a conversation about,” Korman said.
In particular, he’d like to see revenue generated by the slot machines to go toward schools.
“The cost of busing is an important issue in rural areas,” Korman said. “Student transportation has been cut year after year.”
A similar proposal sponsored by Missouri Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, would earmark 35 percent of the receipts generated by video gambling for higher education.
The legislation is similar to a measure approved in Illinois in 2009; it didn’t get underway until 2012.
Since then, Illinois has seen an explosion in the number of establishments offering video gambling.
After four years, the number of businesses with at least one terminal tops 5,700. The total number of machines is nearing 25,000, according to statistics compiled by the Illinois Gaming Commission.
Video gambling generated $277 million for Illinois in 2016. Local governments received $55.4 million.
Bringing a mini-casino to the Gateway racetrack would add to that total.
SOURCE- STL TODAY
