SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The City of Springfield took the first steps tonight to crack down on gaming devices that offer cash prizes.
A bill was introduced at City Council on Monday, Jan. 22, that would prohibit any businesses from offering entertainment machines, regardless of the rules, that give the winner cash at the end of the game.
Multiple people from both sides spoke at the council meeting. The bill’s cosponsor, Mayor pro tempore Matthew Simpson, says the gaming machines attract crime.
“It attracts people who tend to become desperate for money and attracts people that prey on those people that are desperate for money,” Simpson said.
One Springfield resident told OzarksFirst that the city should try to work with the businesses instead of not allowing the machines.
“I mean, you got people who travel to Springfield all the time, put money in here,” said Springfield resident Dustin Blair. “If I was the city council, I would try to get a piece of the action.”
Simpson says the bill would not prohibit entertainment machines or arcade games.