Missouri’s gaming profits are up while other states are showing a loss

Only two gaming states in the U-S showed increased profits for fiscal year 2009, Missouri was one of them.

Pennsylvania is the only other gaming state in the nation that showed an increase. Even Nevada, the gaming capital, showed a decrease.

Adjusted gross receipts from the state’s casinos are up four percent — about a billion dollars — and admissions are up as well, also about four percent.

Gaming Commission director Gene McNary says Missouri’s central location might contribute to the profits.

He says Kansas City also offers accessibility, but says St. Louis might be pulling in bigger profits because of the new casino. Another casino in South St. Louis County is slated to be up by next Spring. McNary says it’s a prime location that could draw heavily from Southern Illinois.

McNary says Another casino in South St. Louis County is slated to be up by next Spring. McNary says it’s a prime location that could draw heavily from Southern Illinois.

McNary says besides the obvious economic benefits casinos offer the state, revenues also support state education.

He says Pennsylvania pulls in a lot of people from New Jersey, which might contribute to its increase in profits.

Jessica Machetta reports [Download/listen MP3]