Missouri House votes to ban new casino liscensing until 2010

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Intro: Missouri House members are not taking a gamble on new casino liscensing...at least not for two more years.

Jessica Miller has more from the State Capitol.

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If the legislation passes, riverboat casinos will be unable to get their casino licenses until the year 2010.

House Republican and sponsor of the bill, Shannon Cooper, says he is worried about the upcoming competition Kansas City riverboat casinos will have with their border rivals.

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Description: I want to make sure that we don't start building anymore boats, and then find out once Kansas starts allowing gaming, that it has a very detrimental effect, which all reports show that it will to Missouri. So I think its very prudent to slow down and not issue any more license until we see the impact Kansas will have on our facilities.

In opposition to the bill, Democrat Tom Villa says the gaming industry is a profitable and popular one, bringing in revenue for the state of Missouri.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Jessica Miller, KMOX News.

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Intro: Legislation prohibiting new licensing for riverboat casinos until 2010 has some democrats concerned.

Jessica Miller has more from the State Capitol.

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Republican representative and sponsor of the legislation, Shannon Cooper, says Missouri needs to correct the irresponsibly regulated gambling industry, specifically targeting Kansas City.

In opposition to the legislation, Democratic Representative Tom Villa says the gambling industry in Kansas City is profitable for the state, even with competition from their border rivals.

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Description: We were here before Kansas, and let Kansas react to the Missouri climate. I don't see why we should freeze the number of licenses. I think that just gives the state of Kansas to a two year period to build ahead of steam, and that's illogical.

Villa says the legislature should re-evaluate the loss limit laws they currently have in place to eliminate some of the competition.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Jessica Miller, KMOX.