St. Louis County to Seek Funds, Send Inspectors After Judge Rules Small Gambling Machines Illegal

Doctor Page, a St. Louis County official identified by name in the briefing, said the county has sent 400 letters to liquor-license holders informing them that the devices referred to in the transcript as "BLTs" (also noted at times as "DLTs") are illegal and "cannot be in the presence of a business that has a liquor license." She said the county will ask the St. Louis County Council for funding to create two Department of Revenue inspector positions to enforce liquor-license rules and investigate complaints.

The announcement follows a recent federal-court ruling that, according to Doctor Page, found these machines to be illegal gambling devices when played outside Missouri casinos. Doctor Page said she signed an executive order directing the county Department of Revenue to notify liquor-license holders about the ruling and that the county's liquor-license application has been updated so applicants for new or renewed licenses must attest they have no illegal gambling devices on the premises.

Doctor Page said 400 letters have been…