METROPOLIS HITS THE JACKPOT; 3 YEARS' GAMBLING NETS $15.5 MILLION

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- Metropolis has hit the jackpot.

After three years as host city to Merv Griffin's Players Riverboat Casino, this small Southern Illinois city of 7,500 residents has taken $15,598,123 to the bank. There is no sign the bank will close anytime soon.

Players Riverboat Casino has been in the fast lane since it was launched by entertainer Merv Griffin on March 13, 1993. During that three-year period more than 4.6 million visitors have boarded the riverboat, producing millions of dollars in revenue for the city government and merchants.

"The casino operation has been good for Metropolis," said Bill Kommer, who is in his seventh year as mayor of the city. "It's been a good mix. We've cooperated with Players and their officials have cooperated with us."

Included in the multi-million dollar riverboat complex along the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Metropolis are a 1,650-passenger riverboat; Merv Griffin's Riverboat landing, which includes restaurants and gift shops; a land-based, 120-room hotel adjacent to the riverboat landing area; and the 350-seat Merv Griffin Theater, which plays host to a number of entertainment productions each year.

Griffin is part-owner of Players International Inc.

"Overall we haven't had anything but good luck with the Players operation," added Kommer. "You couldn't ask for a better company. Merv Griffin, Players officials David and Ed Fishman, and the current manager Pat Rogers, have been just great."

The financial rewards to the city are averaging well over $400,000 a month. The city receives $1 for every person who boards the boat, plus a portion of the state tax on gambling revenue.

The funds go into the city's general fund, said Kommer. "It certainly helps the city budget -- the budget is just over $12 million. We're putting the funds to good use."

Metropolis residents are paying about 60 percent less for property taxes these days.

The city has constructed a new state-of-the-art electrical substation and electrical lines at a cost of about $1.9 million.

The city also has bought seven new police cars and a `Jaws of Life' rescue unit, plus adding some personnel, including more police officers, firefighters and the new position of city planner.

Other improvements include resurfacing of many city streets, playground equipment in the city's nine parks, a new local teen center and a college scholarship program for local students.

One of the most recent projects was the rebuilding of a gazebo in a downtown park. The gazebo was destroyed by heavy winds recently.

Players employs more than 800 workers.

"Our unemployment rate ranges between 4 to 6 percent," said Kommer, a player in city politics for almost 30 years. He served as city councilman 22 years before running for mayor. "I can remember double-figure unemployment up to 13 percent."

The majority of workers at Players are from Southern Illinois -- Massac, Johnson, Alexander and Pulaski counties. Others are from nearby Western Kentucky.

"We're absolutely pleased with the operation here," said Rogers, adding that the operation is more successful than originally anticipated.

"Our fiscal year ends this month (March)," said Rogers. "Our passenger count for the fiscal year will top two million passengers, up more than 600,000 over the previous fiscal year."

For the calendar year -- January through December -- the company reported adjusted gross receipts of $83.3 million, an average of almost $7 million a month, up 18 percent over 1995 totals.

Tourism and business also benefit from the riverboat casino.

"We get a lot more tourists here now," said Steve Wehr, Metropolis postmaster and president of the Massac County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, "With more than 100,000 visitors a month, Players Casino has put us more on the map."

Statistics for February show that 144,843 visitors boarded the riverboat during the month, an average of almost 5,000 a day. Weekend visitors more than double the city's population.

The city has designated a percentage of the riverboat tax to chamber coffers to help in the chamber operations, noted Wehr.

"Some of these funds will be used for a salaried executive director, with emphasis on economic development and tourism," said Wehr. Sheila McCree, formerly of Olney, Ill., will start in that new position today.

The chamber also receives funds from a hotel and motel tax, which Wehr said is generating more income thanks to the riverboat.

Three new motels -- two at the Interstate 24/Highway 45 intersection, and the Players Hotel in downtown Metropolis -- were constructed over the past three years.

A number of businesses -- mostly restaurants, gift/collectible shops and bed and breakfast operations -- have opened since the riverboat casino opened. Some have made it, some haven't.

Metropolis gets crowded over three weekends each year. As many as 50,000 people flock in for the annual Superman Celebration, scheduled this year for June 6-9. Thousands more pour into the city for the annual Fort Massac Encampment each October. The encampment features authentically-dressed re-enactors who demonstrate early life in Illinois.

The third big weekend this year will be the annual quilt show April 26-28 in Paducah, Ky. It is expected to attract 30,000 to 40,000.

"People seek motel rooms throughout West Kentucky and Southern Illinois during the quilt show," said Wehr.