Video lottery bill debate shows Missouri Senate resistance to expanded gambling

By: Rudi Keller

Outlets: Missouri Independent

Published: April 2, 2026

Words: 1,803

Last Updated: 4 months ago

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A lawyer for a company hoping to break into Missouri’s gambling market told a state Senate panel Wednesday that unregulated slot machines are siphoning millions from schools and that lawmakers should respond by legalizing video lottery games.

Matt Hortenstine, chief counsel for Illinois-based J&J Ventures, called enforcement efforts a “whack-a-mole” game unless retailers have a ready replacement for the machines currently proliferating in convenience stores, bars and fraternal halls around the state. If a particular …

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