- House Committee Substitute -

HCS/SS/SB 902 - This act make changes to certain licensing and enforcement procedures for excursion gambling boats.

313.008 - Eliminates the bingo fund and directs all unobligated funds in the Gaming Commission Bingo Fund to the Gaming Commission Fund. The bingo fund shall be abolished as of June 30, 2001.

313.270 - The Lottery Commission may purchase goods for prizes which are made in the United States and sold by a Missouri business. In current law, any such prize should be made in Missouri.

The act extends the requirement to award certain percentages of lottery contracts and subcontracts to women and minority owned business until January 1, 2005, instead of January 1, 2000.

313.805 - Authorizes the use of electronic tokens for gaming. Applicants for excursion gambling boat license renewal must provide an affirmative action plan to achieve maximum employment of minorities as well as minority participation in the procurement of contractual purchases of goods and services.

Gambling boat patrons have the option of prohibiting an excursion gambling boat licensee from using identifying information for marketing purposes. Licensees would develop the system which would be approved by the Commission.

313.807 - Gambling games and implements may be purchased from any vendor approved by the Gaming Commission, instead of only licensed vendors. A licensed facility may not sell or give away gambling games or implements without the prior approval of the gaming commission.

313.812 - Clarifies the right of the Gaming Commission to deny a license for reasons established in this section.

When the Missouri Gaming Commission licenses a new casino it must give priority to these cities and counties where no current excursion boat gambling exists.

313.815 - The bond or surety may be used to guarantee the completion of any expansion or modification of a gaming facility in a period of time approved by the commission, or 4 years from August 28, 2000. Failure to complete the improvements may be grounds for non renewal of the license for that gaming facility.

313.817 - Allows the use of electronic tokens for wagering. this section also creates a Class B misdemeanor for use of false identification to gain entrance to an excursion gambling boat or cash a check.

313.820 - One dollar of the $2 admission fee shall be deposited to the credit of the Gaming Commission Fund. Subject to appropriation, one cent of that dollar may be deposited to the credit of the Compulsive Gamblers Fund.

313.822 - Extends from 10 to 20 days the period of time allowed for a licensee to petition for reassessment of an assessment imposed by the gaming commission. The assessment is imposed if the commission is not satisfied that the licensee has remitted the full 20% on adjusted gross receipts.

313.825 - Allows the licensee to select a licensed auditor to conduct an audit of compliance and transactions. The auditor must be approved by the Gaming Commission. In current law, the Commission selects the auditor.

313.827 - Repeals the requirement that the Gaming Commission must make an annual report of its actions and financial position to the Governor.

313.830 - Prohibits anyone under 21 from wagering on an excursion gambling boat, prohibits permitting anyone under 21 to make a wager while on an excursion gambling boat, and prohibits assisting a person under 21 to make a wager on an excursion gambling boat. Violators are guilty of a Class B misdemeanor for the first offense, and a Class A misdemeanor for any subsequent offenses. Any person making a false statement of material fact to the gaming commission is guilty of a Class D felony.

313.833 - A problem gambler may voluntarily exclude himself/herself from an excursion gambling boat. Any person who is self-excluded is guilty of trespassing in the first degree if such person enters an excursion gambling boat. Any chips or tokens will be forfeited.

313.835 - Appropriations, not to exceed $10 million total, may be made from the Veterans' Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund as a match to other funds for new construction or renovation of veterans' memorials pursuant to applications received prior to July 1, 2004.

In current law, the additional appropriations may not exceed $2 million total and are limited to renovation of memorials. Any applications must be received by July 1, 2004.

313.837 - Combines the report due to the Governor (repealed in 313.827) with a Commission report due to the General Assembly. In current law the report to the General Assembly is due every January 15. This act makes the combined report due on October 1 of each year.

313.842 - Allows the Department of Mental Health or the Gaming Commission to administer treatment and prevention programs for problem gamblers. Programs are funded with the one cent admission fee authorized in section 313.820. In current law, such programs are administered solely by the Department of Mental Health.

313.843 - Excursion Gambling boats may offer childcare services for employees if licenced by the Department of Health. Childcare centers must be separated by sight and sound from the casino. No childcare services may be offered for children of excursion gambling boat patrons.

319.918 - This section pertains to charitable or religion organization conducting sweepstakes.

TOM MORTON