2 Missouri Casinos Fined For Underage Gamblers

JIM SALTER

ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) — Substantial fines were levied against two casino companies for allowing underage people inside Missouri casinos.

The Missouri Gaming Commission on Wednesday fined Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. $60,000 and Ameristar Casino Inc. $25,000. A Pinnacle spokeswoman declined comment. An Ameristar spokesman called the fine "excessive."

But Gaming Commission director Gene McNary said the fines show the commission has no tolerance for casinos that fail to keep out those under 21.

"That should get the message across that the law is clear," McNary said. "They (casino companies) are going to have to make the effort to make sure underage gamblers don't get on."

McNary said the problem has gotten worse since November when Missouri voters approved a ballot measure eliminating the state's $500 loss limit. Commissioners directed an industry group, the Missouri Gaming Association, to spend the next month developing a plan to combat underage gambling.

"We're trying to move forward on this problem," said Jim Mathewson, the former Democratic lawmaker who now chairs the five-member Gaming Commission.