The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is once again raising concerns about legislation that would retroactively legalize video lottery terminal (VLT) gaming machines. VLTs are also known as “gray games” because the machines currently operate outside the law.
This week, the Senate Select Committee on Gaming held a public hearing on HB 2989. The bill would legalize VLTs statewide and require licenses for VLT manufacturers, retailers and operators.
The Missouri Chamber is opposed to this legislation because it would create an uneven playing field within the gaming industry and penalize law-abiding businesses that have invested significant resources to comply with Missouri’s current regulatory framework.
“This bill is a structurally flawed expansion of gaming,” said Jared Hankinson, vice president of government affairs for the Missouri Chamber. “It creates unequal regulation within the same industry, expands access to VLT machines in a way that creates risk for both employers and employees, and directly conflicts with ongoing law enforcement efforts to crack down on the illegal machines.”
“This is not regulatory clarity,” Hankinson continued. “This is retroactive legalization in direct conflict with ongoing law enforcement efforts to crack down on these illegal machines. That sends a dangerous signal to businesses that if you operate outside of the law for long enough, the law may be changed to accommodate you.”
Hankinson also referred to the public safety risks associated with convenience-based gambling. Placed in gas stations, bars and neighborhood businesses, VLTs prey on casual gamblers and increase addiction risks.
These concerns align with findings from the Missouri Chamber Foundation’s Safer Missouri, Stronger Missouri report, which emphasizes the importance of addressing substance misuse and mental health challenges – both of which affect crime rates, workforce participation and community stability.
For more information, contact Hankinson at jhankinson@mochamber.com or (573) 634-3511.
