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It is highly likely that Missouri will pass a measure that allows fraternal organizations to operate slot machines.  The measure is not receive a lot of protest but it is stirring up a good deal of controversy. 

Ameristar Kansas City Casino and Hotel executive, Troy Stremming, says the casino industry is not a fan of the measure but they have not given it too much thought or worry.

 “From a competitive standpoint I’m not worried about a couple of slot machines in an American Legion hall,” said Stremming.

However, Stremming does go on to say, “But you’re talking about spreading hundreds if not thousands of machines around the state … without regulation.”

“It doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

Numbers from the Gaming Commission indicated that 384 bingo organizations were licensed last year.  The measure allows one slot machine for every 40 members of these not-for-profit organizations.  If each of these bingo organizations had roughly 80 members that would mean Missouri can expect 768 new slot machines across the state.

Just like when the bingo measure was passed, these organizations will not have to pay taxes on their slot machines.

“The purpose … is to help the not-for-profit groups,” said Representative David Day, chairman of the House veterans committee.

“Taxing them certainly doesn’t help them.”

The state will audit gambling revenues from the new slot machines to ensure that the profit is going into charitable programs run by these organizations.  Slot machines have always been the work horse that kept casinos in business.  Not-for-profit organizations should expect slot machines to be great fund raisers.
 

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