Casino license renewed by state for four more years

Isle Casino Cape Girardeau was granted a renewal on its gaming license Wednesday by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

The renewed license is valid for four years as opposed to previous one-year licenses granted to Isle by the commission.

State statutes that govern licensing of Missouri casinos are set up so upon opening, a casino can receive a one-year license for each of the first two years of operation, then may apply for a four-year license every term after. The casino opened in October 2012 in Cape Girardeau and secured the only available gaming license in the state.

The process for a casino to receive a renewed license includes a presentation by casino representatives to staff of the gaming commission, said Ed Grewach, general counsel to the commission. The presentation includes employment statistics, capital improvement figures and details about the casino's involvement in the community. The staff, along with agents of the Missouri State Highway Patrol who work in the patrol's gaming division, also investigate the backgrounds of people who work for the casino and companies that work with casinos, and present their findings to the commission to use for consideration in a renewal.

LeAnn McCarthy, spokeswoman for the commission, said although Isle Casino was granted a four-year license, it does not prohibit the commission from opening an investigation any time.

The presentation by casino representatives showed the total number of people employed by the casino in Cape Girardeau was 482 as of Oct. 1 and that the casino is paying $20 million in wages and $7 million in payroll tax and benefits this year, according to an email from Jill Alexander, senior director of corporate communications for Isle of Capri Casinos Inc.

The casino also reported making $93,000 in cash contributions to charity and $40,000 worth of in-kind contributions. Isle made a $250,000 initial contribution to riverfront fund this year as part of a development deal with city. Volunteer hours totaled 2,300 and some organizations and events that benefited from the casino through participation and sponsorships were Relay for Life, SEMO Search Dogs, SEMO Food Bank, the Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival, roadside cleanup activities and a motorcycle run fundraiser.

The casino also has paid $117,850 since March into a city fund that pays for capital improvements downtown.

Cape Girardeau city manager Scott Meyer attended the commission's meeting Wednesday in Jefferson City, where he gave a presentation about the casino's effect on the city. Included was information on capital improvements made possible by revenue the city receives from the casino's operation and funds that go to adjoining communities.

Highlights of the presentation relating to capital improvements, Meyer said, were the city's ability to make payments on land for the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park; purchases of an e-ticketing system for the police department; an energy-saving system for public works and traffic management software; and the casino's contribution toward a fireworks show in the city on Independence Day.

The effect of the casino's presence on law enforcement and criminal activity also was detailed by Meyer.

"We haven't seen any increases in crime with them here," he said. "It really hasn't been any different than any type of large-sized business coming in."

Meyer also said the casino, from the city's standpoint, has abided by all the requirements of the commission and the development agreement entered into with the city.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent address:

777 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO