Soon after being sworn in as Missouri’s 44th attorney general, Republican Andrew Bailey indicated the illegal gambling machines proliferating across the state are local jurisdictions’ responsibility.
He said the issue of untaxed and unregulated slot-like machines “is up to local law enforcement investigators and local prosecutors.”
Bailey was appointed attorney general last year by Governor Mike Parson to complete the term of Republican Eric Schmitt who was elected to the U.S. Senate.
Bailey said lawmakers need to clarify the state’s position regarding the 14,000-plus gambling machines that can be found at convenience stores, truck stops, bars and restaurants and veterans and fraternal organizations. “The attorney general’s office stands ready to assist or play whatever role the General Assembly may deem appropriate when it comes to those machines,” Bailey said.
But legislators have not been able to agree on guidelines for the machines, particularly due to pressure from former Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley. Last December, Tilley hosted a fundraiser for Bailey at his lobbying firm’s headquarters in Chesterfield. It’s not known how much money was raised for Bailey and who contributed. But among Tilley’s clients is Torch Electronics, one of the largest distributors of the illegal slots in Missouri.
Last year, Schmitt returned Torch Electronics’ contributions to his senatorial campaign. While still serving as attorney general, he was urged by the Missouri Home Dock Cities Association, composed of representatives from the state’s 13 casino host cities, to more aggressively enforce laws banning the devices. The group noted players of the machines are not going to the casinos, where profits are taxed and distributed to education programs, local governments and veterans’ services.
The Missouri Highway Patrol also has said the gambling machines are illegal.
