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Casino Issue Stays on Missouri Ballot

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri – As reported by the Associated and KYTV: "A judge ruled Monday that a casino measure can appear on the statewide ballot on Aug. 3. Cole County circuit Judge Richard Callahan rejected an attempt by opponents of a proposed Rockaway Beach casino to strike down the ballot measure as unconstitutional.

"Callahan dismissed the lawsuit against Secretary of State Matt Blunt but that ruling is likely to be appealed to the state Supreme Court. Floyd Gilzow of Branson, the lead plaintiff, said his lawyers are reviewing Callahan's decision. Gilzow said no concrete decision has been reached on whether to appeal.

"The proposal would amend the state constitution to allow a casino on the White River at Rockaway Beach, which is about 15 miles northeast of Branson. The constitution currently allows casinos only along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

"…The casino, proposed for the 577-person town of Rockaway Beach, is heralded by supporters as a way to bring year-round jobs with high pay and good benefits to an economically depressed town. The well-connected people in neighboring towns who say they don't want a casino in their neck of the woods stick mainly to two ideas: gambling in Rockaway Beach will hurt the family-friendly resort town of Branson a dozen miles away, or casinos are just plain evil…"

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