JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri casinos, their team members and patrons are giving back to their communities this holiday season through volunteer events and fundraising activities. Casinos donated hundreds of meals and hosted fundraising events, patrons donated their unused tickets and chips to support local charities, and employees donated Christmas trees, wreaths, and care packages to veterans, service members, and their families.
The organizations that Missouri casinos are supporting this holiday season include Toys for Tots, the Boys & Girls Club, United Services for Children, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Harris-Stowe State University, The Nolan Weber Foundation, Red Star Food Pantry, Trees for Troops and Southeast Missouri Pets.
Holiday giving is one of many ways Missouri casinos directly support their communities throughout the year. In 2023, Missouri casinos contributed more than $770k in cash and in-kind donations to charitable organizations and casino employees volunteered thousands of hours to community service.
2024 charitable holiday initiatives at Missouri casinos include:
Hollywood Casino St. Louis
Hollywood Casino in St. Louis donated over 300 Christmas trees to veterans and their families. Hollywood Casino also partnered with River City Casino to deliver more than 100 care packages to active service members.
River City Casino
River City Casino donated $500,000 to Harris-Stowe State University to support the launch of the university’s STEM Capital Campaign, which includes the development of a new state-of-the-art STEM facility and scholarships for underrepresented students.
Horseshoe St. Louis
Horseshoe Casino in St. Louis donated toys and games to children and hosted a mobile food pantry with the YMCA for families in need. They also hosted the Families of Fallen Soldiers Dinner.
Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Boonville
Employees of the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel in Boonville volunteered at a local food bank and placed wreaths at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The casino also made cash and in-kind donations to Howard County American Legion, Retrieving Freedom, and Arrow Rock Cemetery. Additionally, they have continued their work on the Missouri Veterans History Project.
Century Casino Cape Girardeau
Century Casino in Cape Girardeau patrons donated unused tickets and chips to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The casino also invited veterans to spin a prize wheel to win up to $100 in free play and donated gift cards to veteran employees. They hosted fundraising tournaments in support of Toys for Tots and Southeast Missouri Pets and made donations to a number of local charities including Shop with a Cop, Wreaths Across America, the Nolan Weber Foundation and the Red Star Food Pantry. Finally, Century Casino donated meals for the Student Santas Christmas Day Meal in Cape Girardeau.
Ameristar Casino Kansas City
Ameristar Casino in Kansas City held their annual Trees of Hope campaign, in which nearly a dozen participating community organizations were awarded $1,000 for decorating a Christmas tree. Patrons voted on their favorite trees and the winners will receive additional donations up to $1,500.
Ameristar Casino St. Charles
Ameristar Casino in St. Charles delivered more than 50 meals to veterans and their families and made donations to the Boys and Girls Club and United Services for Children. They also hosted the Trees of Hope annual tree decorating competition, which awarded prizes up to $2,500 to participating charitable organizations. Finally, employees volunteered at the St. Charles Regional Chamber Santa Dash 5K race.
ABOUT MISSOURI GAMING ASSOCIATION
The Missouri Gaming Association (MGA) is the statewide trade association of the Missouri casino entertainment industry. Founded in 1993, the Missouri Gaming Association works to promote responsible gaming and increase awareness of the economic benefits of casinos in Missouri. The MGA and its casino company members sponsor year-round responsible gaming programs including the 1-888-BETSOFF crisis line and referral service, Project 21 scholarship competition, and Responsible Gaming Education Month. For more information, visit www.missouricasinos.org.
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