St. Louis Leaders Tout Gaming Industry’s Role in State’s Economic Growth
Casinos in Missouri are driving big results — such as generating $8 billion in tax and admission revenue over more than two decades — while building strong ties with small businesses and community leaders. For these and many others reasons, the American Gaming Association (AGA) hosted its latest Get to Know Gaming event in St. Louis last week to shine a spotlight on the vital role the industry is playing in Missouri, a microcosm of our impact across 40 states.
During the event at Pinnacle’s River City Casino & Hotel with Missouri gaming executives, St. Louis-area business and community leaders, and state and local elected officials, the conversation focused on the successes to date — but emphasized the need for policies and regulations that encourage innovation and reinvestment.
Leaders from Penn National Gaming, Pinnacle Entertainment, Isle of Capri, Tropicana and Global Gaming Women came together in St. Louis to share similar stories of success. Perhaps most important, however, was the small business leader, the chamber of commerce executive and others who attested to gaming’s commitment to the community.
For example, Missouri casinos routinely purchase from minority-owned, women-owned and small disadvantaged businesses — and they’re seen as a model for other businesses.
gaming industry has helped her business grow
“We have actually grown from [working with] one casino…to over 40, which is huge for our company,” said Andrea Scales-Williams, president of Document Imaging Systems. “We’ve been able to hire three or four people and because of the casino market, we now have four locations. We’re very proud to be working in the casino industry.”
“The relationships our businesses form with gaming companies are unique, said Ed Bryant, vice president, Diverse Business Solutions, St. Louis Chamber of Commerce. “I’m seeing some best practices in the way that you source to and from minority-owned and diverse businesses. I’d like to see the gaming sector share your best practices. Share what you’re doing with the health care sector, with the advanced manufacturing sector, with other sectors.”
Further, of the 20,000 jobs gaming supports, women make up nearly half of the state’s gaming workforce, while more than 40 percent of employees are people of color.
“The gaming industry consistently provides unmatched career opportunities for employees from diverse backgrounds and a range of experiences,” said Virginia McDowell, president and chairwoman of Global Gaming Women, a 501©3 with a mission to support women in the gaming industry. “It’s an economic imperative for the industry.”
While casino gaming is a valued community partner in St. Louis and across Missouri, there’s room for growth.
“We are competing with other states and industries,” said Chris Plant, vice president and general manager of River City Casino & Hotel. “So for us to continue to grow and evolve, it’s about creating experiences beyond the gaming platform and moving to a holistic resort experience.”
During the event, the panel focused on how legalized, regulated sports betting could generate additional tax revenue for the state of Missouri.
As CBS St. Louis reported, “Missouri and other U.S. states are missing out on billions of dollars because of a federal law banning sports betting.” NBC St. Louis noted “Americans already bet $150 billion a year on sports illegally. So the push is to legalize it, and then also reap the benefits.”
Whether it’s in St. Louis, Detroit or Biloxi, Miss., the question about sports betting is a good one to ask. Of course, sports betting alone is no silver bullet to growth in a given market. Instead, a shift to progressive policies and regulations — not simply sticking with what worked yesterday — would go a long way.
Through our Get to Know Gaming campaign, we’re encouraging elected officials to take a progressive view of gaming policy that supports greater reinvestment, flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing consumer demands and commonsense regulations that help the industry generate even greater tax revenue. We look forward to working with you to achieve these goals together over the comings months and years.
