MISSOURI STARTING TO SEE FRUITS OF FLOATING CASINOS

Harrah's Casino in North Kansas City reported gambling revenue of $11.5 million in April.

Casino Aztar of Caruthersville reported $266,122.75.

Those were the highs and lows of Missouri's six gambling operations last month, which totaled $38.9 million.

Harrah's Casino has been the state's gambling leader over the past two months.

Harrah's totals topped Casino St. Charles, which reported $11.1 million in April revenues. The St. Charles operations include two casinos, one a floating riverboat and the other a dockside operation.

Other companies and their totals for April are Argosy's Casino, Kansas City Riverside, $7.5 million; Admiral at St. Louis, $6.5 million and St. Joseph Frontier Casino, $2.5 million.

The receipts from Casino Aztar cover only three days.

"We issue gambling reports each month," said Tom Erwin, of the Missouri Gaming Commission. "Aztar opened operations April 28."

For its three days of operation in April, Casino Aztar, on the "City of Caruthersville" Riverboat on the Mississippi River in downtown Caruthersville, had 8,223 visitors, with an average loss per person of $32.

Some 2,610 people visited the boat on opening day, a Friday. The largest attendance was Saturday, with 3,308 boardings.

Others totals for Aztar's April figures show admission taxes of $16,446 and gaming taxes of $53,224.55.

For those three days, Caruthersville will receive $19,438, or an average of $6,460 a day.

The city's share of gambling revenue is based on 10 percent of the gaming tax ($5,322), $1 an admission ($8,223); and 3 percent of the adjusted gross revenues ($5,893.).

Aztar is a floating operation, and cruises during the daytime in accordance with an agreement with the Missouri Gaming Commission that permits the "City of Caruthersville" to "dock" during night hours.

"We'll float the 8 and 10 a.m. trips, the noon trip and the 2 and 4 p.m. trips," said Michael J. Facenda, marketing manager for Aztar. "That is five of eight trips each weekday and half of the 10 trips made Friday and Saturday.

Aztar revenue

April revenue for Caruthersville from Casino Aztar (April 28-30)

Admissions, $1 each: $8,223.

10 percent gaming tax: $5,322

3 percent gross revenue: $5,893

Total city revenue: $19,418