Gambling plan for nonprofits faces delay

Rick Alm

Monday, Sept. 27, 1999 | 11:49 a.m.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Plans to ask Missouri voters next year to legalize slot machines and other video gambling devices operated by charitable, fraternal and religious groups have hit a snag.

Missouri Secretary of State Rebecca Cook on Thursday certified initiative petition language for gathering signatures aimed at placing the proposed constitutional amendment before voters in 2000. If approved, groups such as the American Legion and the Elks could provide one machine for each 50 members at their nonprofit facilities.

But Paul LePage, a Jefferson City American Legion member and spokesman for the petitioning group, said the petition language approved by Cook would be withdrawn by the group. New language will be submitted for approval within 30 days, he said.

"We'll be back," LePage said.

Among the sponsoring organizations are various Missouri veterans groups and Eagles, Elks and Moose clubs, LePage said.

A legislative effort to put a similar question on the ballot died in the General Assembly earlier this year without coming to a vote.

State officials said LePage's group would need to gather about 90,000 valid signatures by May 7 to place the issue on the Nov. 7, 2000, ballot.

Under the current proposal, groups that offer such gambling must have been in existence for 10 years.

But LePage said one change under discussion would set regulation by the Missouri Gaming Commission, which also oversees riverboat casinos and charitable bingo.