Why vote NO August 3 against Constitutional Amendment 1?

Constitutional Amendment 1 is about whether Missourians will expand gambling.  When Missourians approved riverboat casinos in 1992, they limited these to the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.  Now, Missourians are asked “…to authorize floating gambling facilities on or adjacent to the White Riverin RockawayBeach…”

 Vote NO to keep gambling from expanding.

If we allow casinos off the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, how much longer until they are on other rivers besides the White River?  How much longer until they aren’t on rivers at all, but on our roadways or near our schools?  Many Missourians will remember the 1992 ballot proposal dealt with “gambling excursions.”  But in the blink of an eye, these boats were permanently docked.  By 1998 they didn’t even have to be on the river, but within 1000 feet of the closest edge of the main channel.  By allowing casinos to expand off the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, we’ll be opening Pandora’s Box to a swirl of gambling expansion throughout our state.  Since the original proposal has been so radically altered, can we really believe this proposal won’t be as well? 

 Vote NO to limit the number of casinos.

Missouri already has 11 casinos throughout the state.  Gambling interests are working hard to place even more casinos in the St. Louis area on the rivers already approved.  Do we really need another gambling area in Missouri? 

 Vote NO to preserve the Branson community.

Missouri has a jewel in Branson.  It is nationally known for its family-friendly environment and wholesome entertainment.  Branson brings millions of dollars worth of tourism into Missouri.  Do we really want to skew that image or jeopardize its tourism with a casino just a few miles down the road?

 Vote NO to help your neighbor.

Gambling is directly responsible for the problems many families must face.  1 out of 10 children will be harmed by gambling addiction.  The so-called “revenue” generated by gambling is not worth the cost.  Gambling increases suicides, bankruptcies, broken families and crime.  Problem gamblers cost the state an average of $13,585 annually.  With a new casino in Rockaway Beach, thousands of Missourians will be tempted to gamble because of its easy accessibility.  Do we want to expose more Missourians to possible gambling addictions?

 Vote No to maximize current state resources.

The Executive Director of the Missouri Gaming Commission reported in 2002 a shortage in Highway Patrol Officers patrolling casinos, saying “agents are unable to take proactive measures to discover or prevent unlawful activity.”  Since there already aren’t enough law enforcement officers to cover the casinos we already have, why should we approve another?