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Missouri Gaming Commission Discusses Casino Proposals

By Adam Allington, St. Louis Public Radio

St. Louis, MO – The Missouri Gaming Commission says its decision to award a new casino license will hinge on the result of an economic impact study. St. Louis Public radio's Adam Allington reports that the commission held hearings on two applications in St. Louis today (Tues).

Two of the four casino applications before the commission are located in the St. Louis region, both within three miles of each other, but under different governing authorities.

Proponents of a Spanish Lake casino touted its job-creating potential. The Chain of Rocks site advocates point to its prime location next to I-270, and its non-wetland status.

But Gaming Commission Chairman Jim Mathewson says he's waiting for a Department of Economic Development study scheduled to arrive next month.

"We believe that the economic development report that we get will be very conclusive about who wins and who loses where you put another casino in the state of Missouri," Mathewson says.

Opponents of the projects say the St. Louis gaming market is already saturated.

The commission aims to make a decision by the end of November.

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