Riverboat gambling gains initial approval

ROCKAWAY BEACH, Mo. -- A tiny town with big dreams of a rebirth with the help of gambling money took its first step Tuesday toward luring a riverboat casino to southwest Missouri.

By a vote of 120-56, residents of Rockaway Beach approved a nonbinding referendum that would allow city leaders to pursue legislation to bring gambling to the town, according to the final tally by the Taney County clerk's office.

City Clerk Sue Kettelkamp said it was the largest turnout in recent memory. Only 118 people cast ballots in the April election, which selected a mayor and aldermen.

Businessman Chuck Walters, who had led the gambling effort along with Alderman Denny Howard, had said proponents wanted far better than a simple majority in favor of bringing gambling to the town nine miles north of family-oriented Branson.

"That's close to 70 percent," said Howard. "I guess that tells us to go ahead, so that's what we're going to do."

A big win appeared to be in the cards before ballots were cast. About 370 of the town's 577 residents had already signed a petition supporting the project. Only 10 were opposed.

Still, Walters and Howard knew Tuesday's vote was only the beginning. The city now must seek a change in state law. The state constitution only allows casinos on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Rockaway Beach sits on Lake Taneycomo.

"We just spent close to $2,400 on this vote, and I don't see the Board of Aldermen dropping the ball," Mayor Cynthia Hanks said Tuesday before the votes were counted.

Getting a statewide referendum to expand gambling laws and winning Legislative approval will be tough. Rockaway Beach's state legislators -- along with prominent Branson leaders -- say gambling goes against the wholesome, family-values entertainment that brings about 7 million tourists to the area annually.

Gov. Bob Holden also opposes riverboat casinos in southwest Missouri.

"He thinks that the voters have indicated that gambling is best conducted on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers," Holden spokesman Jerry Nachtigal said.