STATES SEE GAIN IN GAMBLING

There was no favorite month for gambling in Missouri last year.

In July, more than 3.5 million visitors pushed through the turnstiles of 16 gambling riverboat operations at 11 sites in the state -- an average of about 116,000 gamblers a day.

In November, gamblers lost more than $243,000 a day, or $73 million for the month.

But, these figures were about the norm for each month of the year. At least 3 million gamblers visited the boats each month and proceeds ranged from $67.2 million in February to a high of $75.3 million in July.

Missouri riverboat casinos took in more than $853.3 million from some 40 million gamblers in 1998, funneling more than 184 million in gaming taxes and admissions fees to the state's public schools -- a 23 percent increase in taxes and admission fees produced in 1997.

The casinos also paid $55.76 million in gaming taxes and fees to local communities.

Gambling is growing in Missouri and Illinois.

Riverboat gambling in Missouri has created more than 13,000 jobs statewide, and has generated more than $700 million in new economic development, with its 16 operations at 10 sites.

Until mid-year, the state had 17 operations at 11 sites. Boyd Gaming Corporation's Sam's Town closed its operation in July.

Illinois riverboat casinos earned more than $1.1 billion from some 23 million gamblers in 1998, the best year since gambling started there in 1993.

Illinois casinos paid more than $256 million to state coffers for public education, as a result of new taxes. During the year, the casinos paid an average of $6 million to local communities.

Illinois has 13 riverboat operations at nine sites, providing more than 10,000 jobs.

Harrah's Casino and Station Casinos, both in the Kansas City area, were odds-on leaders on the Missouri gambling scene in 1998, accounting for more than one-third of adjusted gross receipts in the state and more than one-third of the gamblers.

Harrah's recorded receipts of $160.1 million with 6.3 million visitors, while Station had $146.1 million in receipts from 7.6 million visitors.

Station at St. Louis was the leading casino in the St. Louis area, with $111.2 million in receipts and 5 million players. Harrah's at St. Louis attracted 4.6 million visitors, and posted $96.6 millions in receipts.

Aztar in Caruthersville posted receipts of $22.2 million, with more than 660,000 visitors.

In January 1998, Illinois replaced its flat 20 percent tax rate on riverboat gambling revenues with a tax that ranges from 15 percent to 35 percent, depending on how much money a casino takes in. It was aimed at raising more money for public education, and it did -- the state took in $183 million in 1997 gambling taxes.

Eight of the nine Illinois casino operations posted higher revenues in 1998, said Michael Belletire, administrator of the Illinois Gaming Board. Revenues were up 4.9 percent from 1997 figures of $1.05 billion, and the number of patrons increased about 13 percent.

The Grand Victoria in Elgin broke its own record as the state's top-grossing casino with more than $243.6 million in 1998 revenue. The increased revenue was created in part by a $3 million increase in advertising that included the boat's first television commercial.

Several Illinois riverboat operators say that the region has reached its gambling saturation point, with competition from floating casinos in Indiana, Iowa and Missouri becoming stronger than ever. They also are hopeful that the state legislature will do away with loading times this year.

The Empress Casino in Joliet, which boosted 1998 gross revenue to $153.4 million, added nickel slot machines and a live poker room in 1998. It also opened a park for recreational vehicles and is building a nightclub on casino grounds in an effort to lure customers and keep them longer.

Players International, which has a riverboat operation at Metropolis in Southern Illinois, has been a big boost to that small town.

Players Riverboat Casino has been in the fast lane since it was launched by entertainer Merv Griffin on March 13, 1993. During that six-year period more than 10 million visitors have boarded the riverboat, producing millions of dollars in revenue for the city government and merchants.

Griffin is still part-owner of Players International Inc., which announced earlier this year that it was selling its gambling operations to Jackpot Inc.

The Casino Queen in East St. Louis held its own at about $116.6 million in revenue in a market that includes three casino operations in neighboring Missouri and one up the Mississippi River in Alton. The Casino Queen has also opened a RV park and is building a hotel at its site.

RIVERBOAT GAMBLING

During 1998, Missouri's gambling riverboats reported total adjusted gross receipts of $853.4 million. The state's casinos attracted more than 40 million visitors.

-- Harrah's, Kansas City: $160.1 million; 6.3 million visitors.

-- Harrah's, Maryland Heights: $96.6 million; 4.6 million visitors.

-- Station, Kansas City: $111.3 million; 5 million visitors.

-- Station, St. Charles: $146.1 million; 7.6 million visitors.

-- St. Joseph, $19.5 million; 897,018 visitors.

-- Players, Maryland Heights: $88.7 million; 4.6 million visitors.

-- Admiral, St. Louis: $56.9 million; 3 million visitors.

-- Argosy, Kansas City: $73.4 million; 3.5 million visitors.

-- Aztar, Caruthersville: 22.2 million; 665,399 visitors.

-- Flamingo Hilton, K.C. area: $60.6 million; 3.2 million visitors.

-- Sam's Club, Kansas City: $17.9 million: 775,683 visitors.*

*Sam's Club closed in July of 1998.