As The Turner Report has noted, Proposition A supporters claim the passing of the issue will be a gold mine for public education, a dubious claim, but it definitely would do two things- eliminate loss limits and remove future competition for currently existing casinos.
At this point, two casino companies, Ameristar Casinos and Pinnacle Entertainment, have spent more than $8 million promoting the issue, including Pinnacle's $2,613,000 contribution to the Yes on A Coalition Wednesday, which appears to be the biggest donation made to any candidate or cause since the lifting of campaign contribution limits Aug. 28. (It should be mentioned that Pinnacle and Ameristar Casinos could have made such large contributions to this cause even before Aug. 28 under Missouri law.)
Among those opposed to the measure is the group Casino Watch:
Evelio Silvera, the executive director of St. Louis-based Casino Watch, said he believes most Missourians are opposed to lifting caps on gambling losses and that the opposition groups will help inform voters about what the measure does.
"We're starting from a position where a majority of Missourians are with us on this," Silvera said. "It's much easier to build off a base than it is to form a base."
Silvera said he's planning to travel throughout the state next week to formally announce the creation of the opposition group. Casino Watch plans to hold news conferences in St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City and Springfield.
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