Missouri's gambling interests seem to have found some new friends - Republicans. At least they're looking for some Republican support as they gear up for the 2008 session.
Republican Senator Matt Bartle broke ranks with Senate Republicans opposing any leeway for Missouri's gambling interests.
The Southern Missouri Anti-Gambling strategy, led by Pete Herschend intends to create a "Great Wall" blocking new gambling operations from spreading to the southern parts of the state. Herschend calls gambling a cancer and said he's willing to compromise with Missouri's gambling lobby on loss limits to stop the spread of casinos.
Missouri's Gaming Commission provided some foreshadowing a couple weeks ago saying Missouri's loss limits make Kansas City and St. Louis casinos uncompetitive.
The Kansas legislature loosened gambling regulations earlier this year and Illinois is moving rapidly on the same path.
