Casino revenue on decline

METROPOLIS -- A drop in the number of customers at Harrah's Metropolis Casino riverboat is translating into not only in a decline in casino revenues but also a decline in the amount of money going into the coffers of the city of Metropolis.

According to the Illinois Gaming Board, adjusted gross receipts at the casino were about $10.3 million in June, down from the $14.7 million the casino pulled in during the same month a year ago. The recent June admissions were off almost a third from last year, to 86,926 from 129,449.

Mayor Billy McDaniels said the city's revenue from the casino has been running $140,000 to $180,000 a month less than what it was a year ago. In June it totaled $600,000.

Officials say the downturn in casino attendance can be traced back to January, when the state of Illinois instituted restrictions on smoking in public buildings.