Missouri’s 13 casinos will remain closed due to Covid-19 at least until May 15, even though Governor Mike Parson is allowing certain businesses to reopen Monday, May 4. Parson ordered the casinos to close on March 17. Missouri Gaming Commission Chairman Mike Leara said, “We are not ready to give casinos the go-ahead to open.” In fact, he said the state’s casinos could remain closed beyond May 15 based on the status of the pandemic at that time. “We’re going to reevaluate everything early that week. It could change,” Leara said.
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page has extended the county’s stay-at-home order until at least mid-May due to concern reopening too soon could create a second wave of infections. Officials in the city of St. Louis, Kansas City and Jackson County also have extended stay-at-home orders through mid-May.
According to earlier estimates, the casino closures could cost the state $60 million in revenue, which would be directed to public schools and universities.
No reopening dates have been announced for the two St. Louis market casinos in Illinois, the Alton Argosy and the Casino Queen. In East St. Louis, which depends on the Casino Queen for revenue, officials are concerned about the potential negative impact from Missouri casinos reopening, especially Lumière Place in downtown St. Louis and River City in Lemay.
