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New Missouri Political Era Raises Questions About Gaming

"Since voters approved riverboat gambling in 1992, state laws have been gradually relaxed. Slot machines have been added. And gambling `boats' no longer float on rivers but sit in adjacent moats.

"More recently the casino industry has been lobbying to remove the $500 loss limit for each two-hour gambling session. Meanwhile some lawmakers have proposed higher gambling taxes as a way to help the state's budget.

"…Rep. Jon Dolan, who serves on the committee and is likely to keep his position as a newly elected state senator, said old issues that divided the Legislature before will be cast aside.

"…Meanwhile gambling groups such as the Missouri Gaming Association believe that term limits has provided the industry with a chance to reintroduce itself to a new group of lawmakers.

"…While many Democrats have been supporters of the gambling industry, the Republican takeover of the House coupled with a comfortable GOP majority in the state Senate could mean times have changed.

"Prior to this year's elections, Republican-related committees took in more than twice as much casino money as their Democratic counterparts, according to campaign finance reports released in October.

"Casinos were helping the GOP because they're upset with Democrats for trying to increase gambling taxes this year. A failed plan in the Legislature would have raised up to $100 million for schools…"

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