KSHB 41 reporter Ryan Gamboa covers Miami County in Kansas and Cass County in Missouri. Ryan went to Belton Monday night and found several business owners who had no idea the city was thinking of banning "no chance" gambling machines. He spoke to the business owners about what banning the machines would do to their bottom lines. Ryan also covers agricultural topics. He is continuing to monitor what is being addressed in all Cass County cities. Share your story idea with Ryan.
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There are about 12 businesses in Belton that could see changes in who they serve and how they operate as the City Council considers banning "no chance" game machines.
Ryan Emmil is a regular at the Paradise Bar and Grill on North Scott Avenue. Emmil plays the machines a few times a week.
"I've won a few thousand on these machines," he said. "Lose a hundred or two, yeah, it’s not so fun, but you’re still helping out local business owners."
Paradise Bar and Grill owner Teresa McRoy values creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for newcomers and regulars.
"It’s just their little local dive bar," she said.
Operating a business is only becoming more challenging, she told KSHB 41 News reporter Ryan Gamboa.
She ventured out to put a few games that look like slot machines in her business about a year ago.
"Our regulars that like to play, they stay longer, so they’re drinking a little more, they’re eating," McRoy said. "We have some people that just come here because we have slots, and they’ve never come before, and now they’re our customers."
It's helped boost her business and pay the bills.
Players like Emmil recognize what the machines do for businesses.
"I believe that it’s another revenue source for the bar owners to draw people in," he said.
That's true, according to McRoy.
The company she leases the machines from takes half the cut, and she gets the other half.
But there are few regulations on the machines.
At Paradise, they've only had one issue with the machines.
On a busy night, someone was able to break the lock on the payout machine and take money.
McRoy told Gamboa they've since changed how they monitor the machines and adapted.
"I was skeptical at first, and I told my staff that if we start having any problems, they’re gone," she said.
Nothing has ever elevated past that point, she said.
In Belton, there are only about 12 businesses that have these machines. Most are gas stations and convenience stores.
There is one business just south of Paradise, Beehive Adult Gaming, that operates as a smoke shop and a gaming room.
The Beehive declined to speak to KSHB 41, but one employee said he knew about the city working on banning the machines.
The other five to six businesses Gamboa spoke with, but declined to be interviewed, said they didn't know Belton was taking action.
"Why didn't I get a letter?" McRoy said with a sarcastic laugh.
Gamboa reached out to the city on Monday with a list of questions about Tuesday's reading of the ordinance.
In an email, a city spokesperson stated, "We are reviewing your questions. I don’t think I’ll have an answer today, unfortunately. I’m hopeful for tomorrow morning."
Gamboa asked McRoy if an adequate compromise between businesses would be to hire an attendant to monitor the machines.
"I can’t pay someone for every hour we’re open to monitor them," she said. "My bartenders keep, and I do; that would be pointless. I don’t know what they (city) have in mind, but I would consider anything because it’s another source of revenue which we need."
The City of Belton will hear the first reading of the ordinance on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the council chambers.
Part of the ordinance would require the police department to enforce it. A person in violation of the ordinance would be subject to up to $1,000 or jail time not exceeding 180 days. Each entertainment device would be considered its own separate offense.
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