Branson chamber stands against gambling

“Because of the nature of the area and the number of people who visit here, gambling interests will always have us as a potential target, and we want to remind those interests of our opposition,” chamber President Ross Summers said in a news release. “Economically and culturally, it’s a bad fit for this area, and according to research, it’s opposed by our visitors.”

The chamber joins the Branson Board of Aldermen, which last month passed a resolution by unanimous vote to oppose gambling in the area. The issue was revisited because new aldermen were elected this year.

Branson draws nearly 8 million visitors annually, according to the chamber.