It's been a source of debate for more than a decade. Should Jefferson City have riverboat gambling or not?

Voters approved the idea of gambling in Jefferson City in 1992. But just three years later they voted against it.

So the city council held a meeting Thursday night to listen to public opinion to help make a decision about amending the city's charter that, as of now, does not allow riverboat gambling.

"The city council then will vote as to whether or not to put that on the ballot for the public to vote on to change the charter, so that the prohibition would be removed," said Steve Rasmussen, Jefferson City City Administrator. Rasmussen said the two sides of this issue are economic development verses moral values.

"The fact that there was no casino in Jefferson City was one of the factors that made me feel more peaceful about moving to Jefferson City when I moved here about 10 years ago with my family," said Keith Smith, a Jefferson City resident.

And resident after resident agreed.

"I think at this point, unless I find out more information to change my mind, if it came down to it I would vote against it," said Joe Wilson, a Jefferson City resident.

The city council will discuss the public opinions from the meeting before making a final decision.

Not one person Thursday night stood up in support of the casino.