MISSOURI CASINOS PLAN TO TELL OF ECONOMIC BENEFITS IN BILLBOARDS

Missouri riverboat gambling provides 11,000 jobs to Missouri employment numbers.

The casino industry has contributed more than $1.2 billion to state and local communities during its six years of existence.

The casinos paid $754 million in taxes to help finance the state's public school system.

In addition, more than $280 million has been funneled into cities where the casinos are located via $197 million in admission fees and $84 million from a 2 percent tax on casino receipts.

Gambling has been a source of entertainment for more than 24 million people a year in Missouri, making casinos one of the top tourist attractions in the state.

The Missouri riverboat gambling industry has piled up some big numbers since the first casino opened in June 1994. Now, 10 riverboat casinos operate in eight areas in the state.

The Missouri Riverboat Gaming Association, the trade association for the state's riverboat industry, wants people to know about the economic benefits. The casinos are unveiling a statewide billboard campaign this month highlighting the economic benefits of gambling, which has become the sixth largest source of revenue for Missouri.

A total of 10 billboards will say that casinos provided nearly 11,000 jobs and contributed hundreds of millions of dollar in taxes and admission fees to the state for education, veterans programs and to help communities make needed improvements.

The billboards are being contributed by the casinos and should be ready this month, said Mike Ryan, executive director of the association.

Three of the signs will be in the Kansas City area, three in St. Louis, one in St. Joseph, Mo., one near Caruthersville, Mo., and two in mid-Missouri.

In addition to the 11,000 jobs at casinos, the gambling industry has resulted in hundreds of jobs in other businesses surrounding the industry.

Ryan said the industry has provided more than $100 million in gambling taxes and admission fees to help build three new veterans homes and five new cemeteries in Missouri.

The money to local communities has been used to improve streets and bridges, build parks and recreational complexes, and to replace fire and police equipment and to improve wastewater systems.

Caruthersville, home to Aztar Riverboat Casino, has received more than $6 million in gambling revenues over the past six years, which has been used to construct a new sports complex and to purchase police cars and sanitation equipment, and carry out capital improvements.

Aztar also picked up some unemployment slack left by the closures of a shoe factory about the time the casino came in. Aztar employs about 400 people.

Kansas City has been a big recipient of funds from the gambling industry, receiving more than $65 million in gambling revenues. North Kansas City has received $53.7 million. Many of the funds were used in bridge and stormwater improvements, and the purchase of new fire trucks and parks in each area.

St. Louis areas have received more than $100 million used for improvements.

St. Joseph has received $71.8 million in gambling revenues and has purchase new police cars, improved streets and sidewalks an d constructed a recreational complex.

Casino funding over six years

Funds provided to the state by casinos over the past six years.

* Agrees, Riverside, opened in 1994, $104.4 million.

* Aztar, Caruthersville, opened in 1995, $24.9 million.

* Sam's Town, Kansas City, opened in 1995, sold 1998, $32.8 million.

* Harrah's, North Kansas City, opened in 1994, $196.1 million.

* Harrah's, Maryland Heights, opened in 1997, $79.8 million.

* Flamingo, Kansas City, opened 1996, $42.4 million.

* Players, Maryland Heights, opened in 1997, $69.3 million.

* President, St. Louis, opened in 1994, $86.3 million.

* Station Casino, K.C., opened in 1997, $122.9 million.

* Station Casino, St. Charles, opened in 1994, $155.1 million.

* St. Jo frontier, St. Joseph, opened in 1994, $26.5 million.