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Decade of Gambling in Missouri

MISSOURI – As reported by the Kansas City Star: "Step into any casino any Saturday night, and it's instantly obvious that after 10 years, gambling has woven itself deeply into the area's social and economic fabric.

"Kansas City's casino floors are cultural melting pots, where gray-haired grannies play the slots next to hip urbanites and suburban soccer moms. Tourists rub shoulders at raucous dice and card tables with local schoolteachers and shopkeepers.

"…Last year the state's 11 casinos won $1.33 billion from players — about $340 for every Missouri adult.

"…The casinos' financial success has created more than 10,000 jobs statewide while pumping $1.6 billion in gambling taxes into public education.

"…Tuesday marks a decade since the opening of Kansas City's first gambling boat, the Argosy Riverside Casino. Whether gambling's benefits outweigh its social costs was debated before the casinos came, and some debate it still. Although the debate may never be resolved, 10 years of experience makes it easier to tally the benefits — and gambling's cost to society.

"…Every day an estimated 27.8 percent comes off the top of each casino's gross revenue in the form of state and local gambling and admission taxes. Then the casinos pay the same payroll, income, property and other taxes that are paid by other businesses in the state.

"Under state law, the bulk of casino and state lottery tax money goes directly to public education.

"…Despite all the money they take in, casinos are only modestly profitable. When the Kansas City market expanded to five casinos, one of them went out of business. In the even more competitive St. Louis market the President declared bankruptcy.

"…In addition, Missouri's casinos have reinvested an estimated 60 percent of their operating cash flow back into the state's economy through such projects as Ameristar's $20 million parking garage and Argosy's $105 million reconstruction.

"…The victims of gambling are difficult to find in the region's statistical life.

"Divorce? The rate is down 20 percent in Missouri the past 10 years.

"…Crime rates? Down sharply as part of a nationwide decline in crime, even as some gamblers undoubtedly committed crimes to finance their habit.

"…'Statistically the problem gambler in terms of society is a small percentage,' said Keith Spare, a longtime counselor at Samuel U. Rogers Community Health Center in Kansas City and president of the Missouri Council on Problem Gambling Concerns.

"'But hidden in those statistics are people who are killing themselves, getting divorced and going bankrupt' because of gambling.

"…'We need to teach young people that hard work, being excellent students, saving money and getting a fine education are what opens doors to them.'

"…For many the compulsion manifests itself in tandem with other problems, including substance abuse, depression and stress.

"…From the beginning Missouri has been an innovative national leader in devising assistance programs for gambling addicts, including a hot line, free treatment and counseling financed by casino funds…"

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