OK, so they aren’t even on the ballot today, but the biggest election winners might already be in.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today certified for the ballot two initiatives, including one pushed by gambling interests. The ballot initiative would do three major things:

1. Get rid of Missouri’s loss limits, long a thorn in the side of the gambling industry.

2. Limit the number of casinos in Missouri to those already built or being built.

3. Raise the gambling tax from 20 to 21 percent.

Obviously, for existing gambling companies in Missouri, this would be a huge victory. For outside companies wanting to come in? Not so much.

Of course, when the television ads start, much of this won’t be mentioned. Why? The gambling companies are marketing this as a schools’ ballot initiative because some of the money from the increase in taxes will be dedicated to schools, including higher education.

And the losers today?

The eminent domain petitions to change the state constitution failed, as did a renewable energy initiative. Expect legal challenges to try to get those issues back on the ballot.

Carnahan also certified for the ballot an initiative to create the Quality Home Care Council, which aims to help Missourians in need of home health care find quality caretakers.