MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY - After days of testimony in the Senate Corrections and General Laws Committee, the proposals to eliminate the $500 gambling loss and two-hour "cruising" limits may be sinking.
Senate President Pro Tem Bill McKenna, a major sponsor of bill proposing to repeal the limits, virtually conceded defeat after the hearings Monday.
"It may never see a vote," he said. "I don't think there are the votes to pass it. That's my take."
Monday's hearing gave the committee, which includes McKenna as a member, a dose of the dark side of riverboat gambling. After being rescheduled from last week, people in opposition to the bill complained about influence pedaling and the damaging effects gaming has had on the state.
The biggest complaint was that the gaming industry has been trying to expand gambling further than Missouri voters intended.
"We've already seen an aversion to the regulations that were mandated by the people," said Steve Taylor, executive director of Casino Watch. "The regulated is dominating the regulators. To use the Missouri Legislature to eradicate what was approved by the will of the people would fly in the face of democracy."
Others testified about the detrimental effects riverboat gaming has had on their personal lives as well as the lives of others.
"They robbed us of a husband and father," said Liesa Hartin. "My life went from living in a $500,000 home, driving a nice car and having time to nurture my kids, to a reality of my husband finding the boats. Today I find myself separated, on the verge of divorce and a single mom."
A man who would only give a first name of "Bard," testified as a compulsive gambler and pleaded for help on behalf of others just like him. He also mentioned his experiences getting by the $500 loss limit.
"When you win you want to stay longer," he said. "There's excitement and euphoria. You don't want to leave. And you never had to leave. I had no trouble at all finding access to another $500 card. The pit boss was always ready to help out by finding another $500 card. So, most of the times I left with nothing.
"Anything you do to make it easier for casino interests will just increase the suffering in this state."