According to Missouri Ethics Commission records, Torch Electronics, which places gambling machines in gas stations and bars throughout the state, recently donated $90,000 to the Missouri Growth PAC, a political action committee connected to Torch lobbyist Steve Tilley, a former Missouri House speaker and ally of Governor Mike Parson. Parson’s PAC, Uniting Missouri, also has received $20,000 from Torch since July 2018.
Torch faces charges of promoting gambling in Linn County, a Class E felony with a $10,000 fine. A hearing in that case is scheduled for July 15. The charge of promoting gambling in the first degree is a Class E felony and carries a $10,000 fine if the company is found guilty. A hearing in that case is scheduled for July 15.
And in Crawford County, Paul Blankenship, a disgruntled gambler, is pursuing a class-action lawsuit against Torch to recoup his money. Blankenship said Torch has broken state gambling laws and has violated the state constitution which limits slot machines to “excursion gambling boats.”
Blankenship’s attorney works for the same law firm that represents Jim Turntine, owner of TNT Amusements of Sullivan. Late last year Turntine filed a lawsuit asking a judge to shut down the Torch games at a truck stop on Interstate 44 in Cuba. That case was transferred to a St. Louis County circuit judge in June.
Unlike legalized games, a share of Torch’s and TNT Amusements’ revenue is not directed to public education and the company doesn’t offer self-exclusion. Also, Torch and TNT Amusements can pay players less than operators of regulated slot machines.
Torch argues its machines legal because there is no element of chance associated with their games. Company officials claim players have the opportunity to click an icon showing the outcome of a wager. However, players have little incentive to click the icon; even if it indicates the player will lose the next bet, the player still must let the losing bet advance in order to have another chance to win.
The state legislature introduced a bill to regulate the games this year but it stalled in committee. Meanwhile the Missouri Highway Patrol has referred dozens of cases of illegal gambling to local prosecutors in the last year.
