Governor Matt Blunt has his hands full these days with illegal slot machines. A legislative panel has gotten together and sent a formal request for the governor to get involved in a crackdown on illegal gambling.  The Governor has responded through spokesperson Spence Jackson in a written statement that "the attorney general has jurisdiction over this matter and would be the proper source for a formal legal opinion." 

Peter Lobdell, the state supervisor of the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control stated that his agency does not have the authority either to arrest people or to seize illegal gambling machines. He also said that the Missouri Gaming Commission’s duty and rights are very limited in that they can only get involved in places that serve alcohol, or in licensed gambling facilities. He believes that the division is working on changes in the law to change that responsibility, but it will take some time. He also wanted to make clear that the Division supports licensing some slot machines and activities, depending on the group. Non profit groups such as religious organizations would meet their criteria for licensing. 

There are other problems within the organization of the gambling rules and restrictions. The licensing of slot machines outside of the casinos could be considered dangerous as many of the slot machines can be programmed to cheat the player.  Depending on the state, some have ways of cracking down on such slot machines and regulating them, but others do not.  There are systems that can be put into place that regulate the slot machines, but they cost money. Legalization is not an easy answer. If the Department of Public Safety was given authority to act on and eliminate illegal slot machines, there might be hope for a solution. 

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