Judge hears challenge to Mo. casino initiative

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A judge considers a legal challenge to a proposed ballot measure affecting Missouri's casino industry.

The casino-backed initiative would repeal Missouri's $500 gamblers' loss limit, cap the number of casinos in the state and raise their taxes slightly.

Opponents claim in a lawsuit that the secretary of state's ballot summary for the initiative could be misleading to voters.

But attorneys for the state and for initiative supporters say the objections are merely minor disagreements about word choices -- not rising to the level of unfair or deceptive language.

Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce issued no ruling after Friday's hearing. She asked attorneys to submit sample court orders by July 8.