Metro-east casinos lose revenue; Spread of video gaming has hurt business
By Will Buss
News-Democrat
Louis lives and breathes baseball and there's no better way to enjoy he redbirds all season long than with the Casino Queen,' said Jeff Watson, President of the Casino Queen. PMF Riley-Jackson et al v. Casino Queen Inc, No. 3:2007cv00631 - Document 515 (S.D. 2011) case opinion from the Southern District of Illinois U.S. Federal District Court. Casino Queen Hotel & Casino is a premier locals-oriented casino, hotel and entertainment complex located in East St. Louis, Illinois. The Property is situated along the eastern bank of the.
The Casino Queen has started the new year on a low note.
The East St. Louis riverboat casino has laid off about 20 workers, including managers, earlier this month amid declining revenue. Casino president and general manager Jeff Watson said that since the current casino opened in 2007, in place of the first one that opened along the East St. Louis riverfront in 1993, the number of casino employees have been reduced by half, from 1,200 to 600.
The casino has recently cut two hours from its hours of operation. It is now open 20 hours a day, instead of 22, and closes at 4 a.m., instead of 6 a.m.
'Eventually, we may not stay open even that long on a daily basis,' Watson said.
The riverboat casino's revenue has fallen. According to the latest numbers from the Illinois Gaming Board, adjusted gross receipts collected from January through November last year from electronic gaming devices at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis dropped by more than 13 percent between January and November compared to that same span in 2013. Meanwhile the adjusted gross receipts at the casino's table games increased by 2.5 percent in that time.
The Argosy Casino Alton witnessed a 7.9 percent decline in adjusted gross receipts from electronic gaming between 2013 and 2014 and a 13 percent drop in table gaming in that same time.
The drop in electronic gaming comes as more independent video gaming parlors have opened across the metro-east. The state legalized video gambling in public places outside casinos in 2009. Machines started appearing in the metro-east about three years ago in bars, restaurants, fraternal organizations and gaming parlors. According to the state gaming board's latest figures, more than 3,200 of these gaming parlors were in operation a year ago, at the end of 2013.
Watson said the proliferation of video gaming parlors that permit establishments with a liquor license to apply for up to five video gaming terminals has been taking away business. Watson said the Casino Queen struggles to compete with casinos across the river.
'They have put a video gaming machine in every bar and restaurant and VFW hall with a liquor license, and the dilution rate is showing,' Watson said. 'And that's why this has impacted casinos and their revenue. There is a direct correlation between the two.'
One of these video gaming parlors is Emma's Video Gaming Cafe, located inside Dennis Keck's Millstadt restaurant, Smokin' K's BBQ & More. Keck opened the gaming area off to the side of his restaurant in February and has seen many patrons come in to gamble before or after a meal. Keck believes customers enjoy the ease and convenience of gambling at his gaming parlor rather than traveling to a casino.
'I'm sure that has a lot to do with it, at least for some in Millstadt or from South County who come over here, and not to the casino, because we're right here,' Keck said. 'If you go to the casino, you have to fight traffic down there.'
Millstadt resident Roger Guebert likes to gamble at the Millstadt video gaming parlor. He said there are four others in town like it, which are more convenient for him.
'It's just handier,' Guebert said. 'You can just come in and sit down and play. I just think the convenience is the big thing.'
Illinois Casino Gaming Association Executive Director Tom Swoik said riverboat casino revenue and admission across Illinois is down. He also said the smoking ban that went into effect in 2008 initially took about 15 percent of business away from Illinois casinos.
'Overall, the admissions are down,' Swoik said. 'The people have got to be going somewhere to play, and video gaming revenue is up. That's got to be where they're going.'
Illinois Gaming Machine Operators Association President Michael Gelatka said these new gambling parlors are attracting customers who might have never visited a casino before and are helping municipalities generate additional revenue.
'I think that there are additional players that you're getting who would have otherwise gone to casinos in Missouri who have begin to play back in Illinois,' Gelatka said. 'I think there are a lot more players in Illinois as a result of it, but I think there are a lot of smaller businesses that are benefiting, even if casinos have been hurt to some extent.'
Watson said this has only made the state's gambling industry more competitive.
'We are by far the most saturated gaming area in the country,' he said. Casino tanzclub dresden. 'Adding more gaming spots in here keeps cutting a pie that already has been cut into many pieces and fewer slices. The impact here is like any business. We have to react to that with less employees and have to adjust by opening less hours a day.'
Metro-east casinos lose revenue; Spread of video gaming has hurt business
By Will Buss
News-Democrat Minecraft ssundee casino map download.
The Casino Queen has started the new year on a low note.
The East St. Louis riverboat casino has laid off about 20 workers, including managers, earlier this month amid declining revenue. Casino president and general manager Jeff Watson said that since the current casino opened in 2007, in place of the first one that opened along the East St. Louis riverfront in 1993, the number of casino employees have been reduced by half, from 1,200 to 600.
The casino has recently cut two hours from its hours of operation. It is now open 20 hours a day, instead of 22, and closes at 4 a.m., instead of 6 a.m.
'Eventually, we may not stay open even that long on a daily basis,' Watson said.
The riverboat casino's revenue has fallen. According to the latest numbers from the Illinois Gaming Board, adjusted gross receipts collected from January through November last year from electronic gaming devices at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis dropped by more than 13 percent between January and November compared to that same span in 2013. Meanwhile the adjusted gross receipts at the casino's table games increased by 2.5 percent in that time.
Jeff Watson Casino Queen
The Argosy Casino Alton witnessed a 7.9 percent decline in adjusted gross receipts from electronic gaming between 2013 and 2014 and a 13 percent drop in table gaming in that same time.
The drop in electronic gaming comes as more independent video gaming parlors have opened across the metro-east. The state legalized video gambling in public places outside casinos in 2009. Machines started appearing in the metro-east about three years ago in bars, restaurants, fraternal organizations and gaming parlors. According to the state gaming board's latest figures, more than 3,200 of these gaming parlors were in operation a year ago, at the end of 2013.
Watson said the proliferation of video gaming parlors that permit establishments with a liquor license to apply for up to five video gaming terminals has been taking away business. Watson said the Casino Queen struggles to compete with casinos across the river.
'They have put a video gaming machine in every bar and restaurant and VFW hall with a liquor license, and the dilution rate is showing,' Watson said. 'And that's why this has impacted casinos and their revenue. There is a direct correlation between the two.'
One of these video gaming parlors is Emma's Video Gaming Cafe, located inside Dennis Keck's Millstadt restaurant, Smokin' K's BBQ & More. Keck opened the gaming area off to the side of his restaurant in February and has seen many patrons come in to gamble before or after a meal. Keck believes customers enjoy the ease and convenience of gambling at his gaming parlor rather than traveling to a casino.
'I'm sure that has a lot to do with it, at least for some in Millstadt or from South County who come over here, and not to the casino, because we're right here,' Keck said. 'If you go to the casino, you have to fight traffic down there.'
Millstadt resident Roger Guebert likes to gamble at the Millstadt video gaming parlor. He said there are four others in town like it, which are more convenient for him.
Jeff Watson Casino Queen
'It's just handier,' Guebert said. 'You can just come in and sit down and play. I just think the convenience is the big thing.'
Illinois Casino Gaming Association Executive Director Tom Swoik said riverboat casino revenue and admission across Illinois is down. He also said the smoking ban that went into effect in 2008 initially took about 15 percent of business away from Illinois casinos.
'Overall, the admissions are down,' Swoik said. 'The people have got to be going somewhere to play, and video gaming revenue is up. That's got to be where they're going.'
Illinois Gaming Machine Operators Association President Michael Gelatka said these new gambling parlors are attracting customers who might have never visited a casino before and are helping municipalities generate additional revenue.
'I think that there are additional players that you're getting who would have otherwise gone to casinos in Missouri who have begin to play back in Illinois,' Gelatka said. 'I think there are a lot more players in Illinois as a result of it, but I think there are a lot of smaller businesses that are benefiting, even if casinos have been hurt to some extent.'
Jeff Watson Casino Queens
Watson said this has only made the state's gambling industry more competitive.
By Will Buss
News-Democrat
Louis lives and breathes baseball and there's no better way to enjoy he redbirds all season long than with the Casino Queen,' said Jeff Watson, President of the Casino Queen. PMF Riley-Jackson et al v. Casino Queen Inc, No. 3:2007cv00631 - Document 515 (S.D. 2011) case opinion from the Southern District of Illinois U.S. Federal District Court. Casino Queen Hotel & Casino is a premier locals-oriented casino, hotel and entertainment complex located in East St. Louis, Illinois. The Property is situated along the eastern bank of the.
The Casino Queen has started the new year on a low note.
The East St. Louis riverboat casino has laid off about 20 workers, including managers, earlier this month amid declining revenue. Casino president and general manager Jeff Watson said that since the current casino opened in 2007, in place of the first one that opened along the East St. Louis riverfront in 1993, the number of casino employees have been reduced by half, from 1,200 to 600.
The casino has recently cut two hours from its hours of operation. It is now open 20 hours a day, instead of 22, and closes at 4 a.m., instead of 6 a.m.
'Eventually, we may not stay open even that long on a daily basis,' Watson said.
The riverboat casino's revenue has fallen. According to the latest numbers from the Illinois Gaming Board, adjusted gross receipts collected from January through November last year from electronic gaming devices at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis dropped by more than 13 percent between January and November compared to that same span in 2013. Meanwhile the adjusted gross receipts at the casino's table games increased by 2.5 percent in that time.
The Argosy Casino Alton witnessed a 7.9 percent decline in adjusted gross receipts from electronic gaming between 2013 and 2014 and a 13 percent drop in table gaming in that same time.
The drop in electronic gaming comes as more independent video gaming parlors have opened across the metro-east. The state legalized video gambling in public places outside casinos in 2009. Machines started appearing in the metro-east about three years ago in bars, restaurants, fraternal organizations and gaming parlors. According to the state gaming board's latest figures, more than 3,200 of these gaming parlors were in operation a year ago, at the end of 2013.
Watson said the proliferation of video gaming parlors that permit establishments with a liquor license to apply for up to five video gaming terminals has been taking away business. Watson said the Casino Queen struggles to compete with casinos across the river.
'They have put a video gaming machine in every bar and restaurant and VFW hall with a liquor license, and the dilution rate is showing,' Watson said. 'And that's why this has impacted casinos and their revenue. There is a direct correlation between the two.'
One of these video gaming parlors is Emma's Video Gaming Cafe, located inside Dennis Keck's Millstadt restaurant, Smokin' K's BBQ & More. Keck opened the gaming area off to the side of his restaurant in February and has seen many patrons come in to gamble before or after a meal. Keck believes customers enjoy the ease and convenience of gambling at his gaming parlor rather than traveling to a casino.
'I'm sure that has a lot to do with it, at least for some in Millstadt or from South County who come over here, and not to the casino, because we're right here,' Keck said. 'If you go to the casino, you have to fight traffic down there.'
Millstadt resident Roger Guebert likes to gamble at the Millstadt video gaming parlor. He said there are four others in town like it, which are more convenient for him.
'It's just handier,' Guebert said. 'You can just come in and sit down and play. I just think the convenience is the big thing.'
Illinois Casino Gaming Association Executive Director Tom Swoik said riverboat casino revenue and admission across Illinois is down. He also said the smoking ban that went into effect in 2008 initially took about 15 percent of business away from Illinois casinos.
'Overall, the admissions are down,' Swoik said. 'The people have got to be going somewhere to play, and video gaming revenue is up. That's got to be where they're going.'
Illinois Gaming Machine Operators Association President Michael Gelatka said these new gambling parlors are attracting customers who might have never visited a casino before and are helping municipalities generate additional revenue.
'I think that there are additional players that you're getting who would have otherwise gone to casinos in Missouri who have begin to play back in Illinois,' Gelatka said. 'I think there are a lot more players in Illinois as a result of it, but I think there are a lot of smaller businesses that are benefiting, even if casinos have been hurt to some extent.'
Watson said this has only made the state's gambling industry more competitive.
'We are by far the most saturated gaming area in the country,' he said. Casino tanzclub dresden. 'Adding more gaming spots in here keeps cutting a pie that already has been cut into many pieces and fewer slices. The impact here is like any business. We have to react to that with less employees and have to adjust by opening less hours a day.'
Metro-east casinos lose revenue; Spread of video gaming has hurt business
By Will Buss
News-Democrat Minecraft ssundee casino map download.
The Casino Queen has started the new year on a low note.
The East St. Louis riverboat casino has laid off about 20 workers, including managers, earlier this month amid declining revenue. Casino president and general manager Jeff Watson said that since the current casino opened in 2007, in place of the first one that opened along the East St. Louis riverfront in 1993, the number of casino employees have been reduced by half, from 1,200 to 600.
The casino has recently cut two hours from its hours of operation. It is now open 20 hours a day, instead of 22, and closes at 4 a.m., instead of 6 a.m.
'Eventually, we may not stay open even that long on a daily basis,' Watson said.
The riverboat casino's revenue has fallen. According to the latest numbers from the Illinois Gaming Board, adjusted gross receipts collected from January through November last year from electronic gaming devices at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis dropped by more than 13 percent between January and November compared to that same span in 2013. Meanwhile the adjusted gross receipts at the casino's table games increased by 2.5 percent in that time.
Jeff Watson Casino Queen
The Argosy Casino Alton witnessed a 7.9 percent decline in adjusted gross receipts from electronic gaming between 2013 and 2014 and a 13 percent drop in table gaming in that same time.
The drop in electronic gaming comes as more independent video gaming parlors have opened across the metro-east. The state legalized video gambling in public places outside casinos in 2009. Machines started appearing in the metro-east about three years ago in bars, restaurants, fraternal organizations and gaming parlors. According to the state gaming board's latest figures, more than 3,200 of these gaming parlors were in operation a year ago, at the end of 2013.
Watson said the proliferation of video gaming parlors that permit establishments with a liquor license to apply for up to five video gaming terminals has been taking away business. Watson said the Casino Queen struggles to compete with casinos across the river.
'They have put a video gaming machine in every bar and restaurant and VFW hall with a liquor license, and the dilution rate is showing,' Watson said. 'And that's why this has impacted casinos and their revenue. There is a direct correlation between the two.'
One of these video gaming parlors is Emma's Video Gaming Cafe, located inside Dennis Keck's Millstadt restaurant, Smokin' K's BBQ & More. Keck opened the gaming area off to the side of his restaurant in February and has seen many patrons come in to gamble before or after a meal. Keck believes customers enjoy the ease and convenience of gambling at his gaming parlor rather than traveling to a casino.
'I'm sure that has a lot to do with it, at least for some in Millstadt or from South County who come over here, and not to the casino, because we're right here,' Keck said. 'If you go to the casino, you have to fight traffic down there.'
Millstadt resident Roger Guebert likes to gamble at the Millstadt video gaming parlor. He said there are four others in town like it, which are more convenient for him.
Jeff Watson Casino Queen
'It's just handier,' Guebert said. 'You can just come in and sit down and play. I just think the convenience is the big thing.'
Illinois Casino Gaming Association Executive Director Tom Swoik said riverboat casino revenue and admission across Illinois is down. He also said the smoking ban that went into effect in 2008 initially took about 15 percent of business away from Illinois casinos.
'Overall, the admissions are down,' Swoik said. 'The people have got to be going somewhere to play, and video gaming revenue is up. That's got to be where they're going.'
Illinois Gaming Machine Operators Association President Michael Gelatka said these new gambling parlors are attracting customers who might have never visited a casino before and are helping municipalities generate additional revenue.
'I think that there are additional players that you're getting who would have otherwise gone to casinos in Missouri who have begin to play back in Illinois,' Gelatka said. 'I think there are a lot more players in Illinois as a result of it, but I think there are a lot of smaller businesses that are benefiting, even if casinos have been hurt to some extent.'
Jeff Watson Casino Queens
Watson said this has only made the state's gambling industry more competitive.
'We are by far the most saturated gaming area in the country,' he said. 'Adding more gaming spots in here keeps cutting a pie that already has been cut into many pieces and fewer slices. The impact here is like any business. We have to react to that with less employees and have to adjust by opening less hours a day.'
