HOUSE APPROVES M0RATORIUM ON NEW CASINOS

The Missouri Gaming Commission would be prohibited from licensing any new casinos until 2010 under legislation that won first-round House approval on April 2. Supporters say the moratorium is needed to gage the strength of the gambling market, particularly in the Kansas City area, where Missouri casinos will soon face competition from new facilities in Kansas.

As currently written, however, HB 1929 would prevent the licensing of casino that is already under construction in St. Louis County. When the Gaming Commission approves a new casino it doesn’t issue a license until after construction in completed.

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Shannon Cooper, R-Clinton, said he will seek changes so the St. Louis facility isn’t affected. Opponents of the bill say the market – not an arbitrary limit imposed by the state – should determine how many casinos operate in Missouri.

GAMBLING BILL CLEARS SENATE HURDLE BUT FACES MORE

Legislation to eliminate Missouri’s casino loss limits in exchange for increasing taxes on casino operators narrowly won preliminary Senate approval on April 24, but final passage remains far from certain. SB 430 passed 17-16. The bill needs 18 votes to advance to the House of Representatives.

Gambling opponents agreed to end their nine-hour filibuster of the bill after Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph and the bill’s sponsor, agreed to impose higher taxes on casinos than originally proposed. Shields had proposed boosting casinos’ gross receipts tax to 22 percent from the current 20 percent. Under the compromise, the tax rate would increase to 24.25 percent. Casino lobbyists likely will ask the House to return to the smaller increase.

Missouri is the only state to impose casino loss limits, which the Missouri Gaming Commission and casino operators say puts the state at a competitive disadvantage against neighboring states with legalized gambling. Patrons are restricted to losing $500 every two hours. The loss limit is the last vestige of restrictions Missouri voters imposed when they authorized casinos in the 1990s. If the bill clears the Senate, its fate in the House is uncertain.

The Last of the Survey Results

These are the last of the results I have from the 67th District survey sent out earlier in the year. Please see the other post from 4/11/07 for more details on how the survey was conducted.

#9 Do you support eliminating state taxes on social security benefits for all seniors?
Yes-54.5%
No-40%
No Opinion-4.2%
Blank-1.3%

#10 Do you support a law that would allow a citizen to use deadly force against those who unlawfully enter dwellings, residences, and vehicles even if there is no apparent danger to their life?
Yes-55.3%
No-39.4%
No Opinion-3.8%
Blank-1.5%

#11 Do you support raising boarding fees and increasing tax rates on gaming boats?
Yes-70.4%
No-21.5%
No Opinion-7.0%
Blank-1.1%

#12 Should the state allow slot machines in businesses other than gaming boats?
Yes-81.3%
No-11.7%
No Opinion-5.7%
Blank-1.3%

GAMBLING SUPPORTERS, FOES DERAIL LOSS LIMIT REPEAL

Debate on legislation to repeal Missouri’s unique casino loss limit ended at 4 a.m. on March 28 with both supporters and opponents of legalized gambling unhappy with the bill.

Missouri limits casino gamblers to losing $500 every two hours. It is the only casino loss limit in the nation. SB 430 sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, calls for eliminating the limit in exchange for increasing taxes on casino operators and restricting the number of casinos that can operate in Missouri.

Anti-gambling lawmakers oppose lifting the loss limit while casino supporters oppose limiting the number of casinos in the state to 13. Shields said he won’t revive the bill again this year unless an acceptable compromise can be negotiated. Here's the bill: http://www.senate.mo.gov/07info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=10736