GAMBLING USES HEAVY MUSCLE

On the subject of Missouri gambling interests, it should come as no surprise that in this state, as has happened across the country, gambling companies can flex some formidable muscle to get their way.

After failing in its first attempts to legalize slot machines in riverboats, the gambling industry poured $11.5 million into a campaign to make slots legal. A recent Associated Press story outlined contributions made to influential politicians in the state. That mix of the gambling industry's sole commodity -- big bucks -- and politics is expected. Because state government regulates gambling, gambling interests are bound to place pressure on legislators.

But there also was $10,000 spent to hire private investigators to probe the background of a St. Louis businessman leading the opposition, and to plant leaks tying him to extremist David Duke. Another $50,000 was routed to Freedom Inc., a black inner-city political machine in Kansas City, to register voters and head off potential opposition from churches.

This is seedy stuff. But the early 1990s saw a rush of states across the country lifting bans on casinos. Often the first to get licensed were able to rake in profits before competitors could get on their feet. That made getting quick approval paramount to individual gambling companies, even if it meant buying their way in.

The gambling boom has leveled off in the past year. One hopes the muscle-flexing and influence peddling of the gambling industry wanes as well.