Some St. Louis County companies might lose liquor licenses

St. Louis County is trying to crack down on gaming units that resemble slot machines.

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page mentioned Tuesday that he’s informing companies in unincorporated areas of the county with liquor licenses that they’re not allowed to have the machines, often known as video lottery terminals or VLTs. The units are sometimes in fuel stations and comfort shops.

Page mentioned companies that don’t do away with the machines might have their liquor licenses revoked or suspended. He mentioned he’s taking motion after a federal choose dominated final week that the machines constituted playing units, and subsequently aren’t authorized exterior of casinos.

“As county executive, I will always follow the direction of the court,” Page mentioned at a press convention asserting the transfer. “I will always follow the advice of our county attorneys, and that’s what I’m doing today.”

The machines have been a flashpoint in Missouri politics for years. The state’s casinos have been hostile to the units, particularly since they aren’t regulated or taxed the identical approach.

But defenders of the machines say they’re not playing units, primarily as a result of they supply gamers with an choice of realizing the end result of a spin beforehand. And some lawmakers have sought to legalize and tax the machines, strikes which have typically run into passionate opposition. Such payments are being thought of within the present legislative session.

A spokesman for Torch Electronics, which manufactures a number of the machines, mentioned the Wildwood firm would enchantment the ruling “once the court decides the remaining issues before it and enters a final judgment.”

“We’re confident our games adhere to the letter and the spirit of Missouri law,” mentioned Torch spokesman Gregg Keller.