1. How do the two propositions read on the Ballot?

Proposition B – Should the Charter of the City of Jefferson be amended, section 15.1 of article XV. Gambling Prohibition by repealing prohibitions of casino type gambling and riverboat gambling as provided in ordinance 14304 passed and approved by the City Council on January 7, 2008?

Proposition C – Shall the City of Jefferson allow the licensing of excursion gambling boats or floating facilities as now or hereafter provided by Missouri gaming law in the City.

2. How much money does the City get for having a casino?

Under state law, the city will get one dollar for each person who gets on the boat and 2% of the Casino’s adjusted gross winnings.  Unless people like our neighbors lose their money, all the city gets is a dollar per person.

3. Doesn’t Boonville get a lot of money for having a Casino?

Boonville gets about 3 million dollars a year.  Nothing has been said in the media about increases in bankruptcy or the fact that not a single new manufacturer or major business has located in Boonville since the Casino went in five years ago.  There are still vacant buildings on Main Street within walking distance of the Boonville Casino.

4. Why do we have to vote twice on Casino Question?

The first proposition removes language in the City Charter the makes Casino Gambling illegal.  The second proposition legally authorizes City Council to start soliciting proposals for a casino.

5. What if one of the questions passes and the other doesn’t?

If Proposition B doesn’t pass then there can be no Casino regardless of what happens on proposition C.  If Proposition B passes, but C doesn’t, then City Council will have to ask City voters at another election for permission to solicit proposals for a Casino.

6. What Casino company is planning to come to Jefferson City?

According to City Officials, no Casino company has approached the city, nor has the city approached any casino company.  I wonder then how the City is able to project how much money would be invested in a local Casino.

7. Won’t a Casino bring a lot of new business to Jefferson City?

A 2003 study in the Michigan State Law review shows that to fund Casino gambling residents divert discretionary spending from other businesses which lose revenue and fail.

An Illinois study for 21 months after a Casino opened in that state showed only gas stations experienced an increase in revenue, while all businesses had a loss of revenue.

8. Won’t a Casino bring a lot of tourists to Jefferson City?

While that’s the hope of Casino supporters, if it does it would be the only Casino outside of those in Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City to attract many outsiders.  The Gambling Industry here in Missouri has repeatedly testified that Missouri Casinos will never be tourist destinations until the State’s $500 loss limit is repealed.  Casinos like those in Boonville and Caruthersville draw only an occasional outsider.  Even St Louis and Kansas City Casinos draw virtually all of their customers from Missouri and few of the border counties in Illinois and Kansas.

9.  I won’t go to the Casino, why should I care whether we have one or not?

• While you may not go, family members or friends may get introduced to a gambling addiction.  Studies show that one
   quarter of the revenue the Casino will receive will come from problem and compulsive gamblers. Often family and
   friends try to cover up financial problems.

• The gambling losses that will fuel the Casino’s wealth will come from money that is now being spent with businesses
   in the Jefferson City area.  As that money goes to the local Casino and their holding companies out of state, there
   will be less money to keep our businesses operating.  Our quality of life is likely to suffer.

• Studies show that for every dollar Jefferson City will get in gambling revenue, three dollars will be needed to pay for
   the social services needed to deal with the problems created by gambling losses.  Those needs put pressures on
   the city, county and state to raise taxes.