Missouri Mulls Casino Fee Increase to Fund Veterans' Nursing Homes
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Missouri is bracing for potential legislative modifications as plans are underway to propose an increase to the state’s casino admission fee. The aim of the modification promises more than just revenue growth; it aims to support veterans’ nursing homes, an initiative spearheaded by Missouri Representative, Dave Griffith.
Lobbying for a substantial increment in the admission taxation on casinos, Griffith—the representative for Jefferson City—voiced, on a Monday, his intentions to the Missouri Veterans Commission. The tactical game plan is to instigate a renewed policy to enhance the current admission tax paid by riverboat casinos in the state. Griffith holds the conviction that, after almost three decades stasis since riverboat gambling was legislated via a statewide ballot referendum in 1992, it is time to reassess the $2 admission tax.
Notably, it is Griffith’s second attempt, after initiating a similar proposal during the 2021 legislative session, which fell short of acquiring the necessary support. This time around, Griffith is pushing for a $1 increase, emphasizing that the state’s seven veteran nursing homes are in dire need of additional funding, and the proposed increment in casino admission tax could be a productive avenue to supplement this required revenue.
The revenue procured currently benefits the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund. During the 2023 fiscal year, this setup facilitated over $11.24 million, serving the Missouri National Guard, scholarship aids, and the Compulsive Gamblers Fund.
In one calendar year, the 13 state riverboats accounted for 14.7 million entries. It seems, however, that the trend is diminishing compared to 2014 figures that saw more than 22.2 million casino goers. This introduces an additional worry to the Missouri Gaming Association, a representative organization for the state’s casinos. They have voiced opposition to Griffith’s proposal, arguing that the proposed increment could affect the prospects of capital improvement projects and reduce incentive distribution to their patrons.
While Griffith stands firm, he offered a workaround should lawmakers hesitate to increase the $2 admission fee: the legalization of sports betting. Taxes from this newly ventured mean could be streamed towards veteran nursing homes’ financial aid.
However, in order to arrive safely at the shores of impact, Griffith’s proposal will have to navigate the tumultuous waters of legislative bureaucracy and opposition from vested interest groups.
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