An Illinois suggestion that the state government take over casinos in that state is getting a cold shoulder from gaming officials here in Missouri. The idea has been floated by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich who says he’s considering a state takeover of Illinois’ casinos and hiring a company to operate them. There is no such proposal for Missouri’s casinos, although several plans aimed at getting more money from the state out of the casinos have been put forward. Kevin Mullally, the Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming Commission, says nothing similar to the Illinois proposal is even on the back burner. Mullally says many of the suggestions, like the Illinois proposal, are being put forward as quick fixes for budget problems. He says the Gaming Commission is not spending a lot of time mulling over ideas from Illinois or elsewhere. He adds the concept of a state takeover of the casinos would have quite a few problems, both legal and practical.
