House panel stops vote on casino law

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Legislation aimed at preventing Missouri gambling regulators from closing a downtown St. Louis casino has hit a roadblock. The state Gaming Commission took initial steps last month toward revoking the license of the President Casino. House Democrat Tishaura Jones of St. Louis responded with a bill barring regulators from closing casinos over declining performance. On Monday, critics of the bill amended it to require 90 days' notice before regulators take action against casinos' licenses over declining revenue. The amendment was added by the House Urban Issues Committee. Chairman Ted Hoskins, a Democrat from Berkeley, opposed the amendment and immediately adjourned the committee after the vote. Hoskins said later that "there is no bill any more." Casino bill is HB1826.