Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon was wrong to accept campaign contributions from gambling interests, his Republican challenger said Friday.

The challenger, lawyer Mark Bredemeier of Lee's Summit, said Nixon has received more than $30,000 in campaign contributions from gambling firms since 1991.

"Nixon is by statue the lawyer to the Gaming Commission. Accepting money from gambling boats is a clear conflict of interest," Bredemeier said during a campaign stop in Cape Girardeau.

A handful of supporters held up placards at the sidewalk news conference at the corner of Broadway and Lorimier. "Jay Don't Role the Dice of Justice," one sign read.

"Missourians may disagree on whether gaming should be legal or illegal in Missouri, but they are united in their desire for elected officials who are free from the taint of involvement with gambling interests," said Bredemeier.

"Nixon claims that he has been tougher on gambling than any previous attorney general. That wouldn't be difficult to do since he is the only attorney general to serve since gambling was legalized in Missouri."

In the last legislative session, a Missouri Senate committee approved legislation that would have stripped Nixon of his gambling enforcement powers. The measure, however, never made it out of the Senate.

"I think it was just a slap in the face," Bredemeier said of the Senate committee's action.

"I have pledged not to take money from gambling companies," he said.

A lawyer friend of his donated $500 to his campaign. But since the friend's firm represents some gambling interests, Bredemeier is returning the money to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

In contrast, Bredemeier said, the campaign contributions to Nixon came directly from gambling firms.