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Gamblers losing record sums in Missouri

Thursday, Jan. 11, 2001 | 11:25 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Gamblers spun the turnstiles at Kansas City's four casinos 25 million times last year and left behind a record $535 million.

The Missouri Gaming Commission's year-end report also showed that casino wagering statewide set records in 2000.

Only the frigid December weather, which kept many gamblers at home, prevented Missouri's 12 licensed casinos from raking in $1 billion in 2000.

Collectively, the gambling boats took in $998 million before taxes, wages and other expenses. That's up from $938 million in 1999.

Casino bets weren't the only wagers lost last year by local gamblers.

They also dropped $49 million playing the Missouri and Kansas lotteries at outlets across the seven counties in the metropolitan area. Handicappers at The Woodlands placed $14 million worth of losing bets on dog and horse races.

The struggling pari-mutuel track in Kansas City, Kan., posted its best year since 1996, handling $69.7 million in bets, up from $65 million in 1999. Almost 80 percent of the total bets were paid out to winning bettors.

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