JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — One state lawmaker is hoping to undo some of the unnecessary restrictions places on gambling, and he’s learned that the only way to do it is through constitutional amendment.
Rep. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, is known for his unapologetic sense of humor, which is usually bristling with “funny-because-it’s-true” zingers aimed at the very legislature he works for. Given his reputation, a passing glance at HJR 7 might lead you to believe that Engler has gone full-tilt and filed a tongue-in-cheek amendment.
A summary of the bill’s language reads:
Proposes a constitutional amendment that would require any person participating in the management of any bingo game conducted by a service organization to be a member of the organization for 6 months.
Engler told The Missouri Times that, because of laws passed decades ago to combat organized crime in all forms of gambling, a volunteer at a local VFW or Knights of Columbus hall must work regularly for 2 years for the organization before he or she can run the local bingo night.
“It’s ridiculous that we have to change the constitution to do this, but that’s what has to be done to change this part of the Missouri constitution which has this restriction on bingo,” Engler said. “If I could do this through statute I absolutely would do that.”
Engler said the issue was brought to his attention the good-ol’ fashioned way: constituents from a local Knights of Columbus and VFW halls. They were having trouble finding enough people to keep their organizations running, and a state law forbidding new volunteers from running the local bingo night was an odd and cumbersome challenge.
“People aren’t joining these things to get into illegal gaming,” Engler said. “These are people coming to work for these local organizations, and this little change is just the best way to help them.”
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
