Missouri Lottery gets praise

Auditor Nicole Galloway said the Missouri Lottery is “very well managed” and gave it high marks, but it faces challenges in the future.

US.- The Missouri Lottery received high marks from state Auditor Nicole Galloway. She said it is “very well managed” and, as she issued no findings, assured the agency’s bookkeeping is “excellent.”

“The audit identified no significant deficiencies in internal controls, no significant noncompliance with legal provisions. Furthermore no significant deficiencies in management practices and procedures,” Galloway noted.

However, as the Missouri Lottery plans to transfer US$323 million to schools, they are uncertain about its future. According to officials, lawmakers may decide to reduce the agency’s advertising money.

The authorities have been spending US$16 million in advertising for two years, but the Legislature cut its budget. This year, it budgeted US$5 million instead.

Video terminals

Even as the gambling industry evolves in the US, some states continue to fail to update their regulations. Such is the case of Missouri, where video gambling terminals remain in the spotlight and the Lottery is worried about them.

However, a lawsuit against a Kansas-based supplier of gambling devices could help the gambling expansion. The issue is whether five machines placed by Integrity Gaming LLC in two shops are skill-based or not.

“We know that this will impact our sales in the future,” lottery chief May Scheve Reardon said. “It’s going to drastically affect the money that’s being returned to education.”

“We continue to see a proliferation of machines throughout the state. They are starting to pop up more and more,” Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz said. “We’re trying to figure out what’s the appropriate way to move forward.”