Rep. William Clay endorses St. Louis spot for casino

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay wants the Missouri Gaming Commission to place a casino in north St. Louis County, but U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson said she's unlikely to inject herself in a state decision.

Clay has sent a letter to the commission's executive director, Roger Stottlemyre, touting the economic benefits of locating a casino in an area he says has "extremely high rates of unemployment." Developers are seeking commission approval of a development near Spanish Lake, Mo., just south of the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

The Democratic congressman from St. Louis said the casino could bring 1,500 full-time jobs and an economic impact of up to $300 million for the county, its cities and the state.

Emerson, a Republican from Cape Girardeau, said in a statement issued Tuesday that she has not been approached about supporting a casino application from Cape Girardeau. "Neither of the two entities seeking the gaming license for the Cape Girardeau area have asked me to support their application, but if they did I would be inclined to let the state's commission do its job without any input from Congress," Emerson said.

One of Missouri's 13 casino licenses is up for grabs because of the recent closure of the President in St. Louis.

Developers have also expressed interest in locating casinos in the city of St. Louis and the Kansas City suburb of Sugar Creek.

Pertinent addresses:

Spanish Lake, MO

Cape Girardeau, MO

St. Louis, MO

Sugar Creek, MO