Anti-Gambling Groups Picking On Casinos For Trying To Make Money

The state of Missouri is one of the many states that in next week's election, have a question on the ballot regarding casino gambling. For many states, the questions involve the possibility of new casinos. For Missouri, the question revolves around loss limits at the existing casinos.

Proposition A is asking voters to eliminate the current loss limits in the state casinos. It is not an uncommon practice. Missouri is the only state in the country with casinos that have loss limits.

The actual Proposition is called "Schools First Elementary and Secondary Education Fund Initiative." Why is it called that? Because if approved by voters, the proposition would allow casinos to pump possibly another $130 million annually into the Missouri school system.

That would be enough for most voters to be in favor of the Proposition. Not anti-gambling groups, however. They have chosen to take a different angle on the Proposition. The groups claim that the casinos only want the loss limits eliminated so they can make more money.

Why didn't the everyday voter think of that? Imagine an ice cream store that wants to sell higher priced ice cream, or a mechanic that wants people to buy new parts for their car instead of used ones.

A new ad focusing on the advantages of the Proposition A is what is drawing the ire of anti-gambling groups. The ad portrays all the good that can come out of an approved Proposition, exempting the negative effects it could have. Holy Cow! An advertisement made to show the advantages of what it is trying to sell. That is a new concept.

The truth to the issue in Missouri is that Missourians are not particularly buying the education angle, so proponents have turned to the economy, and showing people that a "yes" vote will help not raise their taxes. This argument is intriguing to the people of Missouri.

The vote will come Tuesday, and all of this nonsense back and forth will be over. Until then, anti-gambling groups will continue to state the obvious, hoping Missourians are dumb enough to believe it. The casinos are in the business to make money.

Unfortunately for the anti-gambling groups, part of the money they are generating is being used for education. Can these groups say that about the mechanic or the ice cream store?

October 29, 2008
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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