February 12, 2012

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State representatives look to bolster veterans homes

January 16, 2012 By

Members of the House Appropriations Committee on Public Safety and Corrections are looking for ways to get more money to the state’s veterans homes.

Chairman Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) says over the years, some of the funds that used to go to those homes has been funneled in other directions. “Early the veterans homes didn’t need all the money that was going there so some of it went to early childhood and some of it went to some other programs. Now the problem is our veterans homes are in pretty serious shape both in terms of the need for repair and maintenance and for the ongoing cost of the operations.”

Representative Chris Kelly (left), Representative Galen Higdon (center) and Representative Sheila Solon

Another Committee member, Representative Galen Higdon (R-St. Joseph) says veterans are waiting in line to get into those facilities. “There’s at least over 1800 now in the state and of course it’s compounding as veterans come back.”

Kelly has filed what he’s called the “loose change” bill, that would allow casino patrons to donate a portion of their winnings to the state Veterans Commission. “There’s always some change when you’re ready to check out. You have like $45 and 27 cents or 85 cents or some cents. We’d like the law to say that the customer gets asked, ‘Would you like to donate the portion less than a dollar … to the Missouri Veterans Commission.” Kelly estimates those donations could amount to between $6 and $8 million dollars a year.

Higdon is preparing a bill that includes that idea and another. It would take the money that is found on casino floors and direct it to the Veterans Commission as well. Currently, that money goes into General Revenue.

Higdon says if that money were dropped on the street, a person can report it to law enforcement after 30 days. In a casino, it goes to the state’s General Revenue fund. “I argue that shouldn’t be part of our general revenue anyway. That’s something that belongs to the casinos … it’s on their property.” Higdon says the casinos he’s talked to are alright with the money going to the veterans’ cause, telling him, “We won’t argue that point.”

Another bill filed by Representative Sheila Solon (R-Blue Springs) would double the annual transfer from the Gaming Commission Fund to the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund from $3 million to $6 million and allow for more to be transferred when the remaining gaming fund amount is more than $28 million.

The Committee is scheduled to next meet Wednesday afternoon.

Filed Under: Legislature, News, Politics & Government Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Addiction conference underway in St. Louis

August 12, 2009 By

The 2009 Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse is underway in St. Louis, bringing together more than 200 addiction experts, treatment providers, and representatives of the gambling industry. Experts taking part in this event come from the five-state region of Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

Candace Peters, Director of Training at the University of Iowa’s Prairieland Addiction Technology Transfer Center and a member of the Midwest Consortium on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse, says there is quite a bit of ground to cover during this three-day gathering.

“Presenters will discuss a variety of issues from responsibility regarding treatment for problem gambling and substance abuse,” said Peters in an interview with the Missourinet. “They’ll discuss clinician treatment skill building and various issues that surround problem gambling and substance abuse.”

Peters insists solving problems requires a community effort.

“From a national perspective and from extensive research we understand that it’s essential that we work together on multiple platforms – bringing industry, research, and treatment together for problem gambling and substance abuse,” said Peters.

While there might be some links between problem gambling and substance abuse, treatment efforts are guided by the person seeking assistance, so the conference focuses on providing skills to help people on the important individual basis.

“Everyone comes with their own needs, their own understanding, their own suffering – if you will,” said Peters. “The links research tells us, yes, there is some link between the two, however we don’t want to focus on that versus being able to treat the person for what they’re asking us to be able to assist them with.”

Peters says those leaving the conference will exit knowing the importance of a recovery community that includes research, treatment, and even what should be said by a greeter at a casino.

The conference wraps up Friday.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Responsible Gaming Education Week a chance to tell problem gamblers help is available

August 3, 2009 By

The Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling has ushered in Responsible Gaming Education Week with the goal of heightening awareness about the dangers associated with out of control gambling and the fact help is available for those with the gambling addiction.

Alliance spokesman Gary Gonder says that while most people who gamble walk away from casinos without any trouble, some Missourians experience problems.

"The statistics go something like .5 to 1 percent of adults are considered compulsive or pathological gamblers," said Gonder in an interview with the Missourinet. "But more importantly, up to 5 percent are problem gamblers, which means they’re approaching a pathological behavior."

The first step in getting that help is a call to 1-888-BETSOFF – (1-888-238-7633).

"We, last year, received a little over 1900 calls to our hotline," said Gonder. "It doesn’t sound like a lot of calls, but those people were either sent to Gamblers Anonymous or maybe they were referred to the free problem gambling assistance that’s available in Missouri, not only for the gambler but to the gambler’s family members."

While 1-888-BETSOFF is a national help effort, calls made from Missouri are answered in St. Louis by people who are aware of additional help available in this state.

"Over 25 percent of the calls we get every month are from family members or friends," said Gonder. "Trying to figure out what they can do to get their family member into some treatment."

Counselors for problem gamblers are provided free of charge through a small fee paid by Missouri’s casino operators.

Missouri is a national leader in problem gambling programs and was the first state to hold a statewide awareness week.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: , ,

Gaming Commission puts off decision on future of President Casino

July 28, 2009 By

A meeting of the Missouri Gaming Commission to consider the future of Pinnacle Entertainment’s gaming license for the President Casino in St. Louis ends with no decision having been made.

According to Commission Chairman Jim Mathewson a decision will be made in a "reasonable period of time." Though Mathewson would not venture to suggest how short or long a period of time a "reasonable period of time" might be.

At issue is the historic Admiral, the boat which serves as home to the President. Federal inspectors might force the boat to close in July of next year and Pinnacle wants to be able to replace the Admiral with a new barge. That could be problematic because a legal opinion from Attorney General Chris Koster claims a license is boat specific and site specific, meaning a new license would be required to either replace an existing boat or to change the location of that boat.

Mathewson concedes it is only an opinion – but an important one.

"That Attorney General’s opinion doesn’t hold great weight in a court of law," said Mathewson while talking to reporters after the meeting. "But what it does is points you in a direction where your comfort level sure goes up."

The Commission’s general counsel suggests Pinnacle is not able to deal with the current situation without halting operations for a period of time – costing the state revenue – and he recommends the license be put up for grabs. Mathewson says that while he appreciates the advice, the panel will make the final decision.

"We’ll make the decision," said Mathewson. "And we’ll base it on the best information that we can glean."

While the opinion of the Gaming Commission’s general counsel will be taken into account, so will the fact Pinnacle has been a good corporate citizen.

"From what staff tells me," said Mathewson. "They have been a good group of people to deal with. That’s not even under question." Options for the Commission include allowing interested parties to bid on Pinnacle’s license.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: , ,

Missouri casinos waste little time eliminating loss limit

November 11, 2008 By

The winning candidates from last week’s elections have to wait until the Secretary of State’s Office certifies the results of the voting before their victories move from the unofficial to the official category, but an initiative approved by voters is already in effect. It’s Proposition A – the initiative to do away with casino loss limits and, in turn, to increase the amount of casino dollars going to public schools.

Mike Winter, Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming Association – which represents the casinos operating in the state – says the Secretary of State has already determined that the initiative was approved and should be implemented, and the State Gaming Commission confirmed that on Friday. By Friday afternoon, the casinos throughout the state were already doing away with the need for the machines to operate through use of the player’s cards.

Approval also caps the number of casinos in the state at 13 – the existing 12 plus one under construction in St. Louis County.



Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: ,
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