As reported by: Post-Dispatch
Harrah's Entertainment Inc. kept the top spot among St. Louis-area casinos last month, but Ameristar Casinos Inc. gained ground.

Harrah's won $24.6 million from gamblers at its property in Maryland Heights, an increase of 16 percent from a year earlier. Ameristar Casino St. Charles had winnings of $23.5 million, up 4 percent.

The two properties are minutes apart by car, on opposite sides of the Missouri River.

The five casinos in the St. Louis area had adjusted gross receipts - total bets minus total payouts - of $74.8 million. That represented a year-over-year gain of 7.6 percent.

The Casino Queen in East St. Louis was third among local casinos in November. It won $12.5 million from gamblers, off 0.6 percent from the same month in 2003.

The Alton Belle won $8.49 million, up 10.8 percent. The President Casino on the Admiral had another positive month, with adjusted gross receipts of $5.7 million, up 4.2 percent.

The President has operated under bankruptcy protection since June 2002. Columbia Sussex Corp., a Kentucky-based hotel and casino operator, agreed in October to pay $57 million for the business.

The President was closed Tuesday for installation of a new computer system that will be linked to all 1,100 gambling machines aboard the vessel. It will help the casino better track the activities and preferences of its customers, said General Manager Chris Strobbe.

The upgrade should make President more competitive with its rivals by allowing it to offer the same conveniences that the other casinos offer, Strobbe said. "It's a segue to cashless gaming - ticket in, ticket out," he said.


Article By: Post-Dispatch