While new records were set across the state, the region’s profits grew again. Gamblers left $688.5 million on four river boats in Kansas City in 2005. A 1.7 percent increase from 2004 boosted the domestic casino industry to 11 consecutive years of growth.
Statewide, 11 casinos in Missouri also set records, topping $1.5 billion for the first time. The total revenue of $1,526,806,799 was a slight decrease of 3.6% from 2004. “The numbers are huge,” said Troy Stream, vice president of Amerista Casino and president of Missouri Riverboat Gaming Association Trade Group.
“For a period of 10 to 11 years, people continue to enjoy playing games as a form of entertainment. It’s something we’re very proud of.” Lottery tickets in Missouri and Kansas also rose by 5 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively, in 2005. Woodlands Paris Mutual Racecourse in Wyandot County fell 6.3 percent sharply. 온라인경마
The casino tax and Missouri’s share of lottery revenue is mostly set aside for public education. In 2005, the statewide total is expected to reach $504 million for the first time.
With casino gambling steadily increasing in Missouri, the state’s only anti-gambling civic lobby has recently pushed back. Last month, directors of the St. Louis-based Casino Watch urged limiting the number of slot machines in the state to current levels, arguing that it would blunt the impact on compulsive gamblers.
Casino Watch Chairman Mark Andrews testified before a two-state panel covering state gambling policies in recent weeks, noting that Missouri’s 17,875 slots account for about 87% of casino revenue. “Problem gambling is alive and well in Missouri,” he said. “It’s time to introduce sound regulations on casinos that could reduce the likelihood of addiction.”
Last year, a similar idea was proposed to limit the number of slots in Jefferson City, but it failed to gain traction. Much of the casino’s business growth is being bought by expensive offline extensions of non-gambling attractions such as restaurants and nightclubs.