Missouri Gaming Commission executive director David Grothaus is stepping down from his position after butting heads with the state’s Highway Patrol regarding budgetary concerns, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
The newspaper reports that Grothaus tried to hire civilian employees to work at the state’s 13 casinos instead of manning the casinos with Highway Patrol members, which irked Highway Patrol leadership.
The plan would have saved the state $1m per day in gambling tax revenue.
Grothaus’ departure comes at a tempestuous time for the state, which has struggled to regulate illegal gaming terminals.
Missouri’s casinos are all temporarily shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.