LETTERS: CASINOS SHOULD PLAY BY THE RULES

To the editor:

Some of the recent advertisements sponsored by the gambling interests have suggested that approval of Amendment 9 on the November ballot is "only fair." The ads seem to imply that everyone has already given approval and the decision of the voters is merely a formality. In reality, the ads are misleading and unfair to Missouri voters. Missouri voters approved riverboat gambling a few years ago by a small margin. Many who previously voted for the casinos now have serious reservations about the impact the gambling interests are having in our state.

It is clear that riverboats were never the goal of the gambling interests in our state. Shortly after approval, the casinos began with boats, most of which never moved. They proceeded with boats in manmade waterways located within 1,000 feet of the river. Eventually, they want to construct land-based casinos that have no resemblance to a riverboat. I believe they constructed moats around these casinos in an effort to give the illusion of complying with our state Constitution. This is ironic, as the gambling interests drafted the original language that limited the operation of the casinos to the rivers. Now they are asking Missouri voters to change that.

The truth is, these boats won't float with Missouri voters. Although one ad implies that everyone has given approval to these boats in moats, the truth is that the court ruled they were unconstitutional. No they say it is only fair for us to vote to change the rules again to give them retroactive approval for actions that were ruled unconstitutional. I say that is not fair to Missouri voters.

The gambling industry has promised many things to Missouri voters. I suggest they have not produced the quality jobs they promised. They have not added to the quality of life in our state. They have not kept their promises. Instead, they have exploited some of the most valuable of our residents. They brought to our communities a myriad of problems and social consequences. They do not address these problems, but we must. That is not fair to Missouri voters. I believe Missouri voters can see through the misleading advertisements. I believe Missouri voters will say enough is enough. It is time for the gambling industry to play by the rules instead of continuously trying to change them. It is time to vote no on Amendment 9. I believe it is the fair response.

JAMES L. HILL, Executive Director

Missouri Baptist Convention

Jefferson City