Report: Bill regulating 'no-chance' lottery machines heads to Senate

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Editor's note: This article from Missouri News Network has been published with permission.

A bill regulating “no-chance” or “gray” video lottery machines passed the Missouri House on April 9 by the narrowest of margins.

During debate, many representatives expressed their intent to change their previous vote from April 7, when the bill won initial approval on a 74-70 vote.

When it came time to decide, the vote was kept open longer than usual, and representatives were seen changing their vote several times until the final margin of 83-73 was reached. On final passage, bills must pass by a constitutional majority of the House seats: 82 votes of the 163 seats regardless of vacancies or absentees.

The debate on April 9 underscored how representatives were split down the middle.

House Bill 970 sponsor Rep. Bill Hardwick, R-Dixon, advocated for regulation of the machines.

“It gives our businesses and local businesses and areas an option for the regulated, legal way to continue to make money,” Hardwick said.

These “no-chance” video game machines have been crowding Missouri convenience stores and gas stations, some places even designating a specific area for people to play.

The Missouri Gaming Commission has clearly stated that these machines are illegal, but they remain in operation. Winners are predetermined and not based on luck. The nickname “gray” machine describes where the unregulated legality falls — in a gray area.

Several amendments were added onto HB 970 on April 7, and some representatives said it prompted them to flip their votes.

One would display a gambling addiction warning. Others would make counties opt-in to regulations in the bill, set the playing age to 21 and establish the Missouri Gaming Bureau to oversee violations.

The bill states that machine operators must pay 34% of the revenue to the State Lottery Fund. Then, each county will receive 10% of the revenue in their municipality for public safety services. The remaining percentage will be split between operators and retailers who carry the machines.

HB 970 also stipulates a specific $1,000 annual fee must be paid by operators and retailers. A portion of that payment will go to the State Lottery Fund, the remainder toward maintaining regulations and the municipalities’ Missouri Veterans Commission.

Amendments approved April 7 gave way to extended debate on the floor April 9 before passage. Representatives inside both parties were in disagreement about the morality of incentivizing addictive behaviors like gambling.

Rep. Michael Burton, D-Lakeshire, who voted against the bill on April 7, voted in opposition again April 9. He said the machines “prey on poor people.”

Rep. Holly Jones, R-Eureka, praised Hardwick for working with communities across the state to propose a bill “we can all agree on.” Jones voted in favor of the bill.

“We cannot protect Missourians from their vices,” Jones said. “Whether it be alcohol, tobacco, drugs, etc.”

Several bills similar to HB 970 have passed in the House but failed to garner enough support in the Senate where the bill goes next.