Missourians defeat casino gambling near Branson

Missourians defeat casino gambling near Branson

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Religious conservatives who flocked to the polls recently to support a constitutional amendment in Missouri affirming traditional marriage (see story, page 5) also helped defeat an amendment to permit a riverboat gambling casino near Branson, a national tourist destination known for its love of God, family and country.

By a 56–44 percent margin, voters defeated Amendment 1, which would have amended the state’s constitution to allow casino gambling on the White River in Rockaway Beach.

The measure, along with another ballot issue, Amendment 2 (constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage) motivated Christians to vote and contributed to a record turnout for a primary in the state. Some 43 percent of Missouri’s approximately 3.5 million registered voters showed up at polls on a day in which the heat index hit 110.