Missouri's multimillion-dollar bingo game industry has been in steady decline, but could find relief under a ballot proposal that aims to alleviate the shortage of workers.
The Columbia Missourian reports that the Amendment 4 proposal on the Nov. 6 ballot would remove language from the Missouri Constitution that restricts bingo advertisement and changes prerequisites for bingo volunteers.
State law requires bingo workers to be part of the organization that's running games for two years before starting. The rule makes it difficult for organizations to find workers, particularly due to high turnover because of most members' ages.
The Missouri Gaming Commission says there are 227 regular bingo license holders in 2018, down from 435 in 2006.
Association of Charitable Games of Missouri President Tom Murphy says 85 percent of bingo games that closed down cited lack of workers.