There is only one more gaming license available in Missouri, and although Sugar Creek wants it, it is currently in competition with three other applicants who are each also vying to be the recipient of the license.
Although there is one license available that would result in the addition of another casino, there is no guarantee that the state gaming officials will award it to one of the four current applicants or even to anyone at all.
“There is nothing in the law that says you have to have 13 casinos,” said James Mathewson, Chairman of the Missouri Gaming Commission. “You just can’t have more than 13.”
The gaming commission is expected to make its decision by January 1, 2011 and has scheduled a public hearing in Sugar Creek for this Wednesday, September 29. At the public hearing, both advocates and opponents of the proposed casino will have an opportunity to voice their opinions.
Sugar Creek’s officials have been hoping to get a casino in their community since 1993; however, advocates for this proposal will have to show how the casino would fare in a location that already has four existing casinos. Sugar Creek’s gaming license application includes 1,480 gaming positions between slot and table games. The casino would be over 55,000 square feet and include a 200-seat buffet. A second phase would include the addition of movie theatres, a 400-room hotel and convention space, and an equestrian arena with adjacent stables.
According to the documents submitted to the gaming commission, the Sugar Creek casino project would generate approximately 1,000 new jobs, resulting in over $22.6 million in annual salaries, wages, and benefits. It would also create about $20.4 million in state gaming taxes in its first year.
This 13th and final Missouri gaming license in available because the state gaming commission recently came to an agreement with Pinnacle Entertainment, resulting in Pinnacle’s surrender of its license for the President Casino in St. Louis. It was believed that this particular casino was underperforming.
The other three license applicants have different areas of the state in mind for their casinos. One application is for a casino in Cape Girardeau, while the other two applications are for St. Louis-based casinos.
Sugar Creek officials have submitted letters of community support from Independence, the Independence School District, the Independence Chamber of Commerce, and Jackson County.
“This community has been on record as being in favor,” said Stanley Salva, Sugar Creek mayor.
