Stacking the deck: Ballot measure to limit casinos – at Sugar Creek – advances

A state ballot initiative taking direct aim at Sugar Creek is still on track.

The owners of Missouri’s casinos want no more competition, including that of a proposed casino in Sugar Creek along the Missouri River. Having already swung the Missouri Gaming Commission to their side, those owners now want the voters to close the door to more casinos and get rid of the state’s “loss limit” designed to protect the paying customers.

On Thursday, we had what’s become an all-too-common political tactic: Before an issue even goes to the voters, try to get a judge to toss out the secretary of state’s description, prepared for the voters, of what exactly we’re voting on. The idea is to claim that the language is insufficient, unclear or biased.

Forget it, the judge said. Circuit Judge Pat Joyce of Cole County – where the state capital, Jefferson City, is located – swatted away those objections, so we’re one step close to a decision by the voters in less than four months.

Our political leaders generally like to talk a good game about free, unfettered markets. In November, we’ll find out more about the voters’ faith in that idea or whether a legally rigged game is acceptable.