It is a measure of the deep dysfunction in Missouri’s government that a core responsibility of the state — confronting unlicensed gambling — may have to be done instead by local governments like St. Louis County.
Though a statewide approach would be far more appropriate, county law enforcement should heed County Council member Ernie Trakas’ demand that they do what the state refuses to and start cracking down on clearly illegal gaming machines that have proliferated all over the county, as they have throughout the state. St. Louis city and other local governments should follow suit.
The thousands of machines set up at gas stations, restaurants and other venues throughout Missouri constitute arguably the most brazen criminal enterprise operating in the state today.
