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Missouri Sees Casino Revenue Growth in 2009
February 22, 2010
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI – The Missouri casino industry was a bright spot in an otherwise dull economy in 2009, generating $469,039,036 million in tax revenue to the State of Missouri and the communities where casinos are located.
Gaming tax revenue to the state and local communities in 2009 grew by $28,798,613 over 2008, a 6.5 percent increase according to Mike Winter, executive director of the Missouri Gaming Association, who made the announcement during the organization’s 2010 Annual Meeting today at Lumière Place Casino & Hotel in St. Louis.
“Nationwide, casino attendance is down but in Missouri we’ve seen an increase in visitors as people look for entertainment options closer to home,” said Winter. Just three states – Missouri, Indiana and Colorado – saw year-over-year increases in gaming revenue last year according to the American Gaming Association. Casino revenue in 2009 fell by 13 percent in Atlantic City, 10 percent in Las Vegas, and 9 percent in Illinois, according to those states’ gaming commissions.
Missouri casinos had more than 52.8 million visitors in 2009, an increase of 904,529. The average amount spent by casino visitors, however, decreased from $69.11 per patron in 2008 to $66.98 per patron in 2009.
Missouri casinos paid $381,596,469 to the state in gaming tax and admission fees in 2009, up more than $26.9 million over the same period in 2008. Missouri casinos also paid $87,442,567 in gaming taxes and admission fees to local host communities, up more than $1.87 million over 2008.
“In Missouri, the increase in gaming tax revenue has meant more money for our schools, veterans’ programs, early childhood programs, and local community services and projects,” Winter said.
In addition to providing money for Missouri schools, 2009 gaming taxes have funded local road and street improvements, water and wastewater projects, park and community center improvements, police and fire equipment purchases, community events, public education and economic development programs.
Gaming revenue from Missouri riverboats is distributed to the state education fund and other state programs, and to local communities where the casinos are located.
Missouri casinos pay a $2 admission tax per patron/per two-hour visit. Half of the admission tax goes to the local host city or county; 49 percent goes to the Missouri Gaming Commission Fund and 1 percent to the state’s Problem Gambling Fund. Missouri casinos also pay a 21 percent tax on adjusted gross revenue, including a 19 percent tax paid to the state general revenue fund and a 2 percent tax paid to the host city or county.
The Missouri Gaming Association also elected 2010 officers at the meeting, including:
President - Todd George, General Manager of River City Casino and Regional Vice President-St. Louis for Pinnacle Entertainment;
Vice President – Ameet Patel, Vice President/General Manager of Argosy Riverside;
Treasurer – Lyle Randolph, Vice President of Lady Luck Caruthersville;
Secretary – Michael St. Pierre, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Harrah’s St. Louis.
The Missouri Gaming Association (MGA) is the statewide trade association of the Missouri casino entertainment industry and its related professionals. Formed in 1993, the Missouri Gaming Association provides research and information to increase awareness of the economic benefits of Missouri's casinos. For more information, visit www.missouricasinos.org.
